Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome, which comprises of abdominal obesity, hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and elevated plasma glucose, is closely linked to both cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  The stratifying feature of these diseases is hypothesized to be the release of free fatty acids from abdominal (visceral vs subcutaneous) fat stores.²⁸

There are several side effects of obesity that are also part of the spectrum for diagnosing metabolic syndrome²⁸:

• Elevated triglyceride (TG) levels (≥150 mg/dL or drug treatment for elevated TG)
• Elevated waist circumference (men: ≥40 in; Asian-American: ≥35 in; women: ≥35 in; Asian-American: ≥31 in)
• Elevated blood pressure (≥130 mm Hg systolic or ≥85 mm Hg diastolic or drug treatment for hypertension)
• Reduced HDL-C (men: <40 mg/dL; women: <50 mg/dL or drug treatment for reduced HDL-C
• Elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL or drug treatment for elevated glucose)

The clinical management of metabolic syndrome, as per the American Heart Association, includes smoking cessation, reducing LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels to their recommended levels, as well as lifestyle interventions, such as:

• Weight loss (BMI less than 25 kg/m²)
• Increased physical activity 
• Healthy eating habits

Relevant Links:
Physician Resources—Metabolic Syndrome
Standards of Care—Metabolic Syndrome