High Blood Pressure and Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic risk factors that place people at greater likelihood for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This condition affects about 34.6 percent of adults in this country. When a healthcare professional notes these risk factors together, the chances for future cardiovascular problems are greater than any one factor presenting alone.

Metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has three or more of the following measurements:

	Abdominal obesity
	Triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or greater
	HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women
	Systolic blood pressure (top number) of 130 mm Hg or greater
	Diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) of 85 mm Hg or greater
	Fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL or greater

Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with a generalized metabolic disorder called insulin resistance. For people who suffer from this condition, their bodies can't use insulin efficiently. Therefore, metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.

Some people are genetically prone to develop insulin resistance. Other people develop insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome by:

	Putting on excess body fat
	Failing to get enough physical activity
	Consuming a diet high in carborhydrates (more than 60 percent of daily caloric intake from carbs)

Metabolic syndrome can be treated by:

	Taking prescribed drugs including: – Medication to improve the body's sensitivity to insulin – Medication to lower cholesterol – Medication to lower blood pressure
	Managing weight
	Adopting a heart-healthy diet
	Making physical activity part of the daily routine Results of a recent study that followed participants for 15 years found that fitness is key. Unfit or moderately fit adults had twice the risk for high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and diabetes than those who were highly fit. The risk increased directly as fitness level dropped off. The younger a person adopts a physically active lifestyle, the better chance they have to reduce their risk for the metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/19/09.