Metabolic syndrome

Also known as syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself. It is a combination of medical disorders that together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome should see it as an advanced warning from their bodies.

The factors that define metabolic syndrome

To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a patient must have at least 3 of the following factors:

• Excess abdominal fat (around the waist): waist circumference greater than 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women
• Triglyceride levels (type of fat in the blood) greater or equal to 1.7 mmol/L
• Good cholesterol (HDL) levels lower than 1.0 mmol/L for men and 1.3 mmol/L for women
• Fasting blood sugar greater or equal to 5.6 mmol/L
• Blood pressure greater or equal to 130/85 mmHg

Risk factors

The following factors increase one's risk of developing metabolic syndrome:

• Age
• Smoking
• Chronic stress
• Ethnicity (higher occurrence in people of First Nations, Hispanic, African, and South Asian descent)
• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Symptoms

Metabolic syndrome itself has no symptoms. It can be several years before metabolic syndrome is diagnosed and significant damage is often already done.

Treatment and prevention

The main focus of preventing or treating metabolic syndrome is to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or stroke. Prevention mainly involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits:

• Exercising
• Adopting healthy eating habits
• Quit smoking

These lifestyle habits can help normalize blood pressure and blood lipid levels. It is also important to schedule regular follow-ups with your health care professional to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.

If lifestyle changes are not enough, medication may be prescribed. They will be chosen as a function of the health issues to be treated.