Metabolic Syndrome
What is the Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. It is a condition that’s puts you at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. These three conditions are all linked and therefore commonly occur together. It affects one in four adults in the UK. It is most common in Asian or Afro-Caribbean people and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
What are the causes for Metabolic Syndrome?
There are multiple factors that contribute to metabolic syndrome. The main factors include: being overweight, being inactive and having a genetic predisposition towards insulin resistance.
What are the symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome?
Symptoms usually include: Waist circumference of 37 inches or more in men or 31.5 inches or more in women, high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides and low levels of HDL (good cholesterol) in the blood (this can lead to atherosclerosis, where the arteries become blocked by fatty substances), high blood pressure (140/90mmHg or more), high blood sugar levels and increased risk of developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
How is Metabolic Syndrome treated?
There are multiple ways to reverse or prevent metabolic syndrome. These include: losing weight, increasing levels of physical activity, eating healthier foods, stopping smoking, lowering alcohol consumption and taking medication to control blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and high blood sugar levels.
