Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic risk factors include the five conditions listed below. Any one of these risk factors can occur independently, but they are more likely to occur together. To diagnose metabolic syndrome, you must have at least three metabolic risk factors).
- A pronounced waistline. This is also known as “apple shape” or “abdominal obesity.” Excess fat in the stomach is linked to a higher risk of heart disease than fat in other body areas, such as the hips.
- A high triglyceride level (or you’re using a triglyceride-lowering medication). In the blood, triglycerides are a form of fat.
- A low HDL cholesterol level (or you’re taking medication to treat it). This is because it aids in the removal of cholesterol from your arteries. Your risk of heart disease is increased if you have a low HDL cholesterol level.
- High blood pressure (or you’re taking blood pressure medication). The force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries while your heart pumps blood is known as blood pressure. If your blood pressure rises and stays high for an extended period, it might harm your heart and cause plaque accumulation.
- High fasting blood sugar (or you’re on blood sugar medication). A mildly elevated blood sugar level could be a precursor to diabetes.
The following are the underlying causes of metabolic syndrome in people at the highest risk:
- Obesity of the abdomen (a large waistline)
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body’s
Some persons develop metabolic syndrome due to medications that cause weight gain or changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels. Inflammation, allergies, HIV, depression, and other mental illnesses are among the most common conditions for prescribed these drugs.
Affected Populations
In the United States, some racial and ethnic groups are more susceptible to metabolic syndrome than others. Mexican Americans, whites, and blacks have the highest rates of metabolic syndrome.
Other people who are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome include:
- Individuals with a personal history of diabetes
- People who have a diabetic sibling or parent.
- When men and women are compared, women come out on top.
- Women with a personal history of the polycystic ovarian syndrome should be cautious (a tendency to develop cysts on the ovaries)
Risk of Heart Disease
You’re more likely to get coronary heart disease if you have metabolic syndrome. Aside from metabolic syndrome, other risk factors raise your risk of heart disease. High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and smoking, for example, are substantial risk factors for heart disease. Visit the Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors Health Topic for more information on all risk factors for heart disease.
You should find out your short-term risk for heart disease even if you don’t have metabolic syndrome. The National Cholesterol Education Program divides short-term heart disease risk into four categories, and your risk category is determined by the number and type of risk factors.
Your risk factors determine your chance of having heart disease during the next ten years. You can use an online calculator 12) from the National Cholesterol Education Program to predict your 10-year risk of suffering a heart attack.
- If you already have heart disease or diabetes, or your 10-year risk score is greater than 20%, you’re at high risk.
- Moderately high risk: You’re in this category if you have two or more risk factors and a 10-year risk score of 10% to 20%.
- If you have two or more risk factors and a 10-year risk score of less than 10%, you’re in the moderate risk category.
- If you have zero or one risk factor, you fall into this category.
Metabolic syndrome increases your risk of coronary heart disease over time, even if your 10-year risk score isn’t high.
Overview of the Metabolic Syndrome
The amount of metabolic risk factors you have raises your chance of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Being overweight and obese and lacking physical activity are all connected to metabolic syndrome.
Insulin resistance may also raise your chances of developing metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not properly utilise the body’s insulin. Insulin is a hormone that aids in transporting blood sugar into cells, where it is converted into energy. Insulin resistance is connected to overweight and obesity, leading to high blood sugar levels.