Metabolic syndrome
When Health Risks
People with metabolic syndrome are at
significant risk for having a heart attack
and developing diabetes.
DeannaWard, MD
Internal Medicine
5565 W. Las Positas
Blvd., Suite 260
Pleasanton
925-416-5470
PileUp
BY DEANNA WARD, MD
M
etabolic syndrome is a common and serious
health condition involving a group of factors,
such as high blood pressure and abnormal
cholesterol, that individually can raise the risk of
cardiovascular and other
problems. But when those
conditions occur together, the
combination pushes health
risks even higher.
According to the American
Heart Association (AHA),
people with metabolic
syndrome have a twofold
increased risk for heart attack
and a vefold increased risk
for diabetes.
COULD I HAVE IT?
About 35 percent of adults have metabolic syndrome,
reports the AHA. ere may not be symptoms. Instead,
the condition is determined based on a number of
measurements.
You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three
or more of the following:
A waist size of more than 40 inches if you’re a man or
more than 35 inches if you’re a woman
A fasting triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL of blood
or higher
A high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level below 40 mg/dL
if you’re a man or below 50 mg/dL if you’re a woman
A blood pressure level of 130/85 mm Hg or higher
A fasting glucose level of 100 mg/dL or higher
A diagnosis of glucose intolerance, which means your
body is unable to properly use insulin
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Lifestyle changes—such as losing weight, exercising and
eating a heart-healthy diet—are often the rst line of
treatment for metabolic syndrome.
You and your doctor together can create a
customizable plan to make you successful. I believe that
the patient is the most important member of the health
care team. Having open conversations about all things
that might be contributing to this condition is the most
e ective way to nd the right course of action.
ValleyCare Health System
9
