Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that greatly raises your risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The underlying causes that lead to the development of metabolic syndrome are obesity and insulin resistance. According to the American College of Cardiology, these risk factors make up the syndrome:
A high level of triglycerides—more than 150 mg/dL
A low level of HDL ("good") cholesterol—below 40 mg/dL for men or 50 mg/dL for women
High blood pressure—130/85 or greater
High blood sugar that is classified as pre-diabetes or diabetes—100 mg/dL or greater
Increased level of chemicals that cause blood clots
The more risk factors you have, the more likely it is that you will develop metabolic syndrome, and eventually, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Yet there's good news. "Lifestyle changes alone would cut into the massive numbers we're now seeing," says Daniel Einhorn, M.D., a spokesman for the American College of Endocrinology and author of several papers on the topic. "If we catch people early enough, they can make changes and have a good chance of avoiding diabetes."
Once you have diabetes, though, you can't turn back time, he says, "and 20 to 25 percent of people with metabolic syndrome go on to diabetes." Diabetes is an important risk factor for strokes and other ailments.
"We can't help our genetics," Dr. Einhorn says, "but we can do an awful lot about diet and exercise." Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables, for instance, and get 30 minutes of exercise that raises your heart rate most days.
Everyone older than 35 should know the five risk factors, their numbers, and their family history, Dr. Einhorn says. "Nothing short of our own vigilance will make the difference."