Metabolic Syndrome

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

  • It is a group of risk factors that occur concomitantly and increase your risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

How do I know if I have metabolic syndrome?

  • Metabolic syndrome is present if you have 3 or more of the following signs

  • Blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85 mmHg

  • Fasting blood sugar (glucose) equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL

  • Large waist circumference (length around the waist):

  • Men - 40 inches or more

  • Women - 35 inches or more

  • Low HDL cholesterol:

  • Men - under 40 mg/dL

  • Women - under 50 mg/dL

  • Triglycerides equal to or higher than 150 mg/dL

How do I prevent metabolic syndrome?

  • Eating a diet low in fat, with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products

  • Getting regular exercise, at least 30 minutes of moderate activity almost every day

  • Losing weight so that your body mass index (BMI) is less than 25

  • Managing blood pressure and blood sugar

  • Not smoking

  • Trying to include fish, preferably oily fish, in your diet at least twice a week