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Metabolic Syndrome

A metabolic syndrome is a group of health problems that make it more likely for a person to have a heart attack, stroke or develop diabetes. If you are suffering from metabolic syndrome, you have at least make it more likely you will have at least three of the following:

1. Too much fat around your waist.

2. Borderline or high blood pressure.

3. Borderline or high blood sugar.

4. High triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood.

5. Low “good" HDL cholesterol.

What causes it?

A combination of your family’s history (your genes), as well as an unhealthy lifestyle, can be the cause of the metabolic syndrome. Gaining weight by eating too much and not exercising are the main reasons, especially if you tend to gain weight around your waist.

What are the symptoms?

Metabolic syndrome does not make you feel sick. But if you do suffer from diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, you will develop symptoms of those problems.

What increases your risk?

You are more likely to have metabolic syndrome if:

1. You are older - as you age, your chances rise.

2. You are overweight or obese, especially if you carry a lot of weight around your waist and upper body.

3. Your family members have or had type 2 diabetes and are or were overweight.

4. You have other conditions. For instance, metabolic syndrome is more likely if you have high blood pressure or other problems.

How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will check your blood pressure, measure your waist, and conduct a fasting blood test. If you have metabolic syndrome, your results may include:

Measurement	Result
Waist size	Men: Greater than 40 inches Women: Greater than 35 inches
Triglycerides	150 or higher
HDL cholesterol	Men: Less than 40 Women: less than 50
Blood pressure	130/85 or higher
Fasting blood sugar	100 or higher

How is it treated?

Get more exercise

Being more active is one of the best ways to treat metabolic syndrome. Being active help for many reasons:
Helps you lose weight.

1. Lowers blood pressure, triglycerides, and blood sugar.

2. Raises HDL, the “good" cholesterol.

Aim for at least 2½ hours of moderate exercise a week. You could do this brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. You can also be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Moderate exercise is safe for most people, but it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Change how you eat

Your doctor may advise you to eat less salt or try the DASH diet to help lower your blood pressure. The DASH diet is low in fat but rich in low-fat dairy foods, fruits, and vegetables.

To get started:

1. Choose low-fat or nonfat cheese, yoghurt, and cottage cheese.

2. Drink skim (nonfat) or 1% milk.

3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

4. Eat more whole grains like brown rice & whole wheat bread.

5. Choose lean meats, chicken without skin, or fish.

6. Eat beans, lentils, and nuts.

7. Limit sodium (salt) to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg)—less than 1 teaspoon—a day.

8. As a rule of thumb, if you limit yourself to 10 calories per pound of your body weight

9. each day and maintain a normal level of activity, you should be able to lose 1 pound per week.

Take medicines if necessary

Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, losing weight, and eating healthier, are usually the first set of approaches for metabolic syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe medicine for your cholesterol, blood sugar, or blood pressure if need be.

Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy MD, DNB
Senior Interventional Cardiologist