Metabolic Syndrome
By: Robert NamTotal Views: 181, Word Count: 658,
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of cardiac risk factors which increases your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This condition is also known as syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome and dysmetabolic syndrome.
According to the latest survey, more than one among five Americans suffers from metabolic syndrome. The number of people having metabolic syndrome tends to increase with the increasing age. People above 60s and 70s are most likely to get affected with metabolic syndrome.
Health risks which leads to Metabolic Syndrome
You can be diagnosed for the metabolic syndrome, if you are suffering from the following:
- Fasting blood glucose level more than 100 mg/dl
- High density lipoprotein level less than 40mg/dl
- A waistline of 40inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women.
- A blood pressure of 130/85 mm hg or higher
- A triglyceride level above 150mg/dl
Major Risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome
Following are the factors, which are typically responsible for the metabolic syndrome.
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Triglycerides
- Skin changes of acanthosis nigricans or skin tags.
Causes of Metabolic Syndrome
Every one knows that the medical conditions, genetic factors and environmental conditions play a vital role in the development of metabolic syndrome.
People having a family history (genetic factors) of diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases have a greater chance of developing a metabolic syndrome.
Environmental conditions such as sedentary life style, weight gain and very low physical activity significantly contributes to the risk of developing a metabolic syndrome.
Other factors which are also responsible for the development of metabolic syndrome include.
- Smoking
- Lack of physical activity
- Consumption of excessive alcohol
- Eating excessive high carbohydrate diet
- Women who are post-menopausal
Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
Less physical activities and excess of weight gain are the major factors contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome. Exercising and losing weight can aid to reduce the problem of metabolic syndrome.
In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe some medication for the same. You can eliminate the risk of metabolic syndrome by following given instructions:
Lose weight: Moderate weight loss is the best way of reducing your risk factor without any other serious complications.
Exercise: Increased physical activity can help you improve your insulin level. Aerobic exercise is the best option since it results in weight loss, improved blood pressure, improved cholesterol level and reduced risk of diabetes. Most of the healthcare centers as well as the doctors advice for minimum 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week.
Eat a healthy heart diet: Have a diet with not more than 50 percent of carbohydrates. Eat a healthy heart diet with a proper proportion of vegetables, fruits, grains. Reduce the intake of meat and poultry. Try to take low fats in your diet.
Avoid smoking and limit the alcohol intake: Try to avoid smoking and limit the intake of alcohol.
Schedule a regular health checkups: Keep a regular watch on your health. It includes blood pressure level, cholesterol level, and diabetes. Make the changes as needed, in order to maintain good health.
If you know you have one of the above risk factors of metabolic syndrome, then it is always worth checking with your doctor. Ask your doctor whether you need any test of the metabolic syndrome so that you can avoid any other serious heart diseases.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.
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