Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)
Understanding Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a person has three or more of the following risk factors:
-
Elevated waist circumference:
- Men: > 102 cm (40 inches)
- Women: > 88 cm (35 inches)
-
Elevated triglycerides:
- ≥ 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
-
Reduced HDL cholesterol:
- Men: < 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L)
- Women: < 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L)
-
Elevated blood pressure:
- Systolic ≥ 130 mmHg and/or
- Diastolic ≥ 85 mmHg
-
Elevated fasting glucose:
- ≥ 110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L)
Clinical Significance
Having metabolic syndrome:
- Increases risk of cardiovascular disease
- Raises risk of type 2 diabetes
- Associated with increased mortality
- May indicate need for lifestyle changes
Risk Factors
Common risk factors include:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Obesity (especially abdominal obesity)
- Physical inactivity
- Insulin resistance
- Family history
- Poor diet
Prevention and Management
Key strategies include:
-
Lifestyle modifications:
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy diet
- Weight management
- Smoking cessation
-
Medical management:
- Blood pressure control
- Lipid management
- Blood glucose control
Important Considerations
- Results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional
- Regular monitoring may be necessary
- Treatment plans should be individualized
- Multiple risk factors require comprehensive management
When to Seek Medical Attention
Consult a healthcare provider if:
- You have multiple risk factors
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- Difficulty managing weight or blood pressure
- Unusual symptoms develop
Limitations
This calculator:
- Provides screening based on NCEP ATP III criteria
- Should not replace clinical judgment
- May not account for all individual factors
- Requires accurate measurements
Tips for Accurate Results
- Use fasting blood tests
- Measure waist circumference correctly
- Take blood pressure when rested
- Ensure consistent units
- Consider repeat measurements
Start calculating now to assess your metabolic syndrome risk factors!
References: