A collection of disorders known as metabolic syndrome increases your risk of stroke, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and other major health issues. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome. These ailments include elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, extra body fat in the waist area, and abnormally high levels of triglycerides, or cholesterol. The majority of illnesses linked to metabolic syndrome lack overt indications or symptoms.
What is metabolic syndrome?
A cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. High blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, extra body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels are all part of the metabolic syndrome. As per WHO, the NCEP ATP III definition is the easiest to apply clinically and epidemiologically, because it uses straightforward criteria that are measured readily. The syndrome increases a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke. Apart from a large waist circumference, most of the disorders associated with metabolic syndrome have no symptoms. Being heavier in weight or obese combined with inactivity raises your risk. Insulin-resistance syndrome or syndrome X are other names for metabolic syndrome.
We often become less active and may put on more weight as we age. The majority of this weight is typically retained in the belly, which can make the body less sensitive to the insulin hormone. This indicates that the body’s use of insulin is reduced, particularly in the liver and muscles.
What conditions lead to metabolic syndrome?
If you have three or more of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from metabolic syndrome.
- A big waist: This is sometimes referred to as ‘having an apple shape’ or abdominal obesity. Your risk of heart disease is increased if you have more fat around your stomach than in other parts of your body.
- High blood pressure: A prolonged period of elevated blood pressure can be harmful to the heart and blood vessels. Plaque, a waxy material, can accumulate in your arteries as a result of high blood pressure. Plaques can cause heart attacks and strokes.
- High blood sugar levels: This increases the danger of blood clots and damages your blood vessels. Blood clots can cause heart and blood vessel diseases.
- High blood triglycerides: A kind of fat in your blood is called triglycerides. High triglyceride levels can increase LDL cholesterol, also referred to as bad cholesterol. This raises your risk of heart disease.
- Low HDL cholesterol is sometimes referred to as good cholesterol. Heart health depends on blood cholesterol levels. Your blood vessels can be cleansed of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol with the help of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. Your blood vessels may develop plaque due to ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.
How do I manage metabolic syndrome?
It is important to note that managing metabolic syndrome is a lifelong commitment to healthy habits. Routine observation to monitor your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure can help with early detection and prevention. This can help you and your healthcare provider monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as and when needed. Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that frequently co-occur rather than a single disease. When a person possesses three or more of the following, they are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome:
- Surplus fat in the abdomen, which surrounds the stomach.
- Raised blood pressure (hypertension)
- High blood triglycerides
- Low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL)—the ‘good’ cholesterol
- Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or diabetes. High blood glucose levels that are not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes but are higher than usual.
Weight loss, incorporating positive lifestyle changes, exercise, a healthy diet, if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation and smoking cessation can help. Chronic stress can contribute to metabolic syndrome finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques, engaging in hobbies you enjoy, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from friends and family. Common medications include statins, blood pressure medications, and diabetes medications may also be prescribed for effective management.
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