Metabolic Syndrome: An Overview

Metabolic syndrome, formerly known as Syndrome X, is the combination of factors that increase the risk of an individual to go on an develop Ischaemic Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Stroke. Although it is not a disease in itself, the risk factors come together to form the metabolic syndrome.

- AMRITHA SRIDARAN

The five conditions described below are metabolic risk factors. You could have any one of these risk factors alone, but they tend to occur in combinations. The presence of at least three metabolic risk factors is necessary to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

A large waistline: This also is called abdominal obesity. Excess adipose tissue (fat tissue) 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 or thighs.

High serum triglyceridelevels: Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. A total serum cholesterol test will reveal the amounts of Triglycerides in the blood.

A low HDL cholesterol level: HDL is also known as the “good” cholesterol. This is because it helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels, thereby preventing fat deposition in the arteries that later lead to heart disease. A low HDL cholesterol level raises your risk for heart disease.