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Key Points
- Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of
risk factors that increase your chance for heart disease and other health
problems such as diabetes and stroke.
- The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made if
you have any three out of these five heart disease risk factors: a large
waistline, a higher than normal triglyceride level, a lower than normal level
of HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), higher than normal
blood pressure, and higher than normal fasting blood sugar (glucose).
- About 47 million adults in the United States
(almost 25 percent) have metabolic syndrome. The rate of metabolic syndrome
continues to rise as obesity levels increase.
- Metabolic syndrome has several causes that act
together. Some can be controlled, while others cant.
- To diagnose metabolic syndrome, your doctor
evaluates your risk factors and checks your waist size, cholesterol, blood
pressure, triglycerides, and blood sugar.
- The first line of treatment for metabolic
syndrome is lifestyle changes, including weight loss, increased physical
activity, and a healthy diet. If lifestyle changes cant control your risk
factors, your doctor may recommend medicines.
- Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent
metabolic syndrome. But if you develop metabolic syndrome, healthy lifestyle
changes also can help to reverse or reduce the risk of heart disease and
diabetes and complications of those conditions.
- If you have metabolic syndrome, follow a healthy
eating plan and increase your physical activity to manage your weight; quit
smoking; and take all of your medicines as your doctor prescribes.
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