Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of five risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The five risk factors are:

• Increased blood pressure (greater than 130/85 mmHg)
• High blood sugar levels (insulin resistance)
• Excess fat around the waist
• High triglyceride levels
• Low levels of good cholesterol, or HDL

Having just one of these conditions never means that you have metabolic syndrome. But it does mean you have a greater risk of serious disease. And if you develop more of these conditions, your risk of complications rises even higher.

Older age, female gender, general obesity, inadequate fruit intake, hypercholesterolemia, and middle-to-high socioeconomic status significantly contributed to increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

Complications:

Having metabolic syndrome can increase your risk of developing:

• Type 2 diabetes.If you don’t make lifestyle changes to control your excess weight, you may develop insulin resistance, which can cause your blood sugar levels to rise.
• Heart and blood vessel disease.High cholesterol and high blood pressure can contribute to the buildup of plaques in your arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Prevention:

Institute of Applied Dermatology, Kasaragod, always emphasize following a healthy lifestyle and diet.

A lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle may prevent the conditions that cause metabolic syndrome. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days
• A balanced diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking