Metabolic Syndrome
Increases Your Risk Of Heart Disease
Metabolic
syndrome is a collection of medical conditions that
increases your risk of heart disease. It is also referred to as Syndrome X and insulin resistance
syndrome.
There is a direct link between the development of
metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, and it is often seen in people with type 2 diabetes.
When you eat food, your body converts it into glucose.
This is a type of sugar that is utilized by the body as fuel. In order for the glucose to be able to enter the
cells efficiently, insulin is required. In some people, a medical condition develops called insulin resistance
wherein their bodies stop responding to the insulin. Their bodies continue to produce adequate amounts of insulin,
but because their bodies don't react to it properly, blood glucose levels are affected.
Insulin resistance is usually seen in conjunction with other health issues like
elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, and hypertension. Each one of these can contribute to heart disease. When
all of them are present together, it is called metabolic syndrome and the risk for heart disease is even
greater.
Metabolic syndrome may be largely preventable. It is caused by poor lifestyle habits
in some people. Obesity is a major contributing factor as is a poor diet and lack of exercise. Some people may have
a genetic predisposition to developing metabolic syndrome, but for many, simply making changes in lifestyle habits
may prevent or reduce the effects of the condition.
To determine if you have metabolic syndrome, your doctor will look at several things.
Carrying extra weight around your midsection is one indicator. Women with waist measurements over 35 inches and men
with measurements over 40 inches are considered to be high risk. Elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, high
triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol are also important indications your doctor will consider. The more of these
health problems you have, the greater your risk of developing heart disease as a result.
To treat metabolic syndrome, your doctor will probably advise you to lose weight and
make other lifestyle changes like stopping smoking and eating a healthy diet. Increasing your level of activity is
also very important since being sedentary is a big risk factor for heart disease. If making these changes are not
enough to bring your test readings into the normal ranges, your doctor may prescribe medications in an effort to
lower your risk of heart disease.
Some medications your doctor may consider are high blood pressure drugs, cholesterol
medication, and medicine to control high blood sugar levels. To have the most effect, these should also be combined
with a weight loss plan that includes daily physical activity and a heart healthy diet.
Today, lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome have become
nearly epidemic even among young adults and kids. The root of the problem lies in our poor choices when it comes to
diet and exercise. You are never too young or too old to adopt heart healthy living, and it may help you ward off
the unfortunate consequences of heart disease.
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