Metabolic Syndrome & Obesity^1,2

Metabolic syndrome may be diagnosed when a patient has a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Individuals with metabolic syndrome have a two-fold increase in risk for heart attack or stroke, and a five-fold increased risk for developing diabetes when compared with individuals who do not have metabolic syndrome.¹ If your risk is that high, you need to know about it, so you can take positive steps to reduce your risk and avoid those outcomes.

If you have three or more of the following risk factors, you may have metabolic syndrome:

• A waistline of 40 inches and over for men, 35 inches and over for women
• High triglyceride levels, or being treated for high triglyceride levels
• Low HDL "good" cholesterol levels, or being treated for low HDL
• High Blood Pressure, or being treated for high blood pressure
• High blood sugar, or being treated for high blood sugar

One out of four adults has metabolic syndrome. Many have managed to reduce their risks and avoid disease by taking action. If you have metabolic syndrome, the most important actions to take include:

• Working with your doctor to take stock of your condition
• If you smoke, quitting
• Managing your weight
• Becoming more active
• Working with your doctor to see if medication is an option

Reference
1. American Heart Association Web site, accessed September 13, 2011 at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MetabolicSyndrome/Why-Metabolic-Syndrome-Matters_UCM_301922_Article.jsp
2. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Web site, accessed September 13, 2011 at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/health_risks.htm