Written by:
Janet Hosey
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If you carry a lot of weight around your waist, you’re boosting your risk for heart disease.

If you have high blood pressure or diabetes you are also at a higher risk.

When you have all three, you have what we call metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase your chance of developing heart disease. It’s not a disease in itself, but describes the condition of having symptoms that could spur serious disease — such as heart attacks and stroke — down the road.

“Metabolic syndrome is a term to describe someone having at least three conditions at the same time that can significantly increase their risk for heart disease,” said Victor Marinescu, MD, a cardiologist with Midwest Cardiovascular Institute at Endeavor Health Edward Hospital. “Each factor alone will raise someone’s risk for disease, but having three or more can cause a significant increase.”

The more risk factors you have, the higher your risk for heart attack and stroke:

  • Apple shaped body. Abdominal obesity, or excess fat in the stomach area, is a greater risk factor for heart disease than excess fat in other parts of the body, such as on the hips.
  • High triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. Having high triglycerides can increase heart disease risk.
  • Low “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. When HDL levels are low, it can increase the risk of heart disease.
  • High blood pressure. If your blood pressure remains high, it can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup.
  • Prediabetes. Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes. Having diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

A number of simple interventions can jump start your path to preventing metabolic syndrome, or reduce the complications associated with it. Losing weight (even a modest amount of weight) can greatly reduce the risk factors that combine to form metabolic syndrome, improving health and well-being.

Lifestyle habits, like eating a heart-healthy diet (of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fish) and getting regular exercise, can help cut a number of risk factors and keep you healthier for years to come.

“Regular checkups with your primary care doctor to monitor blood pressure and lab work are critical for tracking cardiovascular health,” Dr. Marinescu said. “Know your numbers and follow your physician’s recommendations to keep them in a healthy range.”

Your doctor can monitor your well-being over the long term and provide advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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