Features

• Cardiovascular metabolic syndrome is defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program as having at least three of the five characteristics: obesity; dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol); elevated blood pressure; glucose intolerance or insulin resistance; elevated C-reactive protein; and high levels of fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor--1 in the blood.
  
  

Significance

• Metabolic syndrome puts you at higher risk for coronary artery disease and other diseases stemming from plaque buildup in the arteries (such as peripheral artery disease and stroke) and diabetes.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Keep your weight under control and manage your blood sugar to avoid cardiovascular metabolic syndrome. If you feel that you may meet some of the characteristics of metabolic syndrome, talk with your doctor and perhaps a physical trainer or nutritionist to learn how exercise and diet can help you manage your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
  
  

Theories/Speculation

• The American Heart Association reports that metabolic syndrome is, in general, linked to inactivity and in many cases, hormonal imbalances and genetics. Researchers suggest that maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, eating a low-fat diet and adhering to medications aimed at managing blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure should help reduce your risks of metabolic syndrome.
  
  

Size

• As you watch out for metabolic syndrome, be aware of
  your waist circumference. A waist size of 40 inches or more for men and 35 or more for women puts you at risk. A fasting blood glucose of more than 100 mg/dL is also a key metabolic syndrome indicator.