So you've just been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Now what?

Female feet standing on electronic scales for weight control on wooden background. The concept of slimming and weight loss

When your doctor tells you that you may have metabolic syndrome, you might not know what to think. Is this common or rare? What is it exactly? How come I’ve never heard of it? Metabolic syndrome is very common. It is a cluster of specific conditions that occur at the same time

  • Weight gain around the waist
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood sugar
  • High triglycerides
  • Low LDL cholesterol

These conditions together may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The good news is that there are adjustments you can make to help reverse the condition. So you’ve just been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. What should you do now? Here are answers to some common questions:

What causes metabolic syndrome?

The most common causes of metabolic syndrome include obesity and lack of exercise. Another common cause is insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that breaks down sugar from the blood. Your muscles, liver and fat absorb the sugar to use as energy. Insulin resistance is when your muscles, liver and fat don’t absorb sugar from the blood properly. This raises your blood sugar levels.

What are common risk factors?

Other factors that may increase your risk for developing metabolic syndrome include:
Age – your risk increases with age
Health history – Family history of type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes – when you develop diabetes during pregnancy
Certain chronic conditions – type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

What are the conditions that make up metabolic syndrome?

A doctor may diagnose you with metabolic syndrome when you have at least three of the following:

1. Weight gain around the waist—gaining weight specifically in the midsection is associated with metabolic syndrome.

2. Hypertension (high blood pressure)—when your blood pressure readings are above 130/80 mm Hg on a regular basis. Here are some useful resources about hypertension:

4. High triglycerides — triglycerides refer to different fats in your blood. Higher levels of certain triglycerides, like LDL (also known as the “bad” cholesterol) can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

5. Low HDL cholesterol —HDL cholesterol is often known as the “good” cholesterol. Check out these resources about cholesterol here:

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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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