Contents:
- Medical Video: Getting a Grasp on Metabolic Syndrome
- What are the dangers of metabolic syndrome?
- Heart disease as a risk for metabolic syndrome
- Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of death from heart disease
- How do you deal with the metabolic syndrome?
Medical Video: Getting a Grasp on Metabolic Syndrome
Before you panic about reading the title above, first know what the metabolic syndrome is. The metabolic syndrome is not a disease, but a group of health conditions that consist of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and excessive abdominal fat. People with metabolic syndrome usually also have excess weight or obesity. When all these health conditions are put together, there is a possibility that more serious health problems will arise.
In fact, people who have metabolic syndrome are reported to be at higher risk for heart disease and die of it when compared to normal individuals who do not show this syndrome. The risk of the metabolic syndrome will increase if there are more symptoms of the metabolic syndrome in someone. See further explanation about the dangers of this metabolic syndrome.
What are the dangers of metabolic syndrome?
The metabolic syndrome can cause diabetes and heart disease, which are the two most common chronic diseases today. Metabolic syndrome can increase your risk of developing type 2 to 9-30 times more diabetes than healthy people.
Another health risk of the metabolic syndrome is fatty liver which can lead to liver cirrhosis. Metabolic syndrome can also cause kidney damage which can lead to microalbuminuria or leakage of protein into the urine. Obstructive sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome, dementia, and decreased cognitive function in adulthood can also surface as a complication of the metabolic syndrome.
Heart disease as a risk for metabolic syndrome
The risk of heart disease can increase to 2-4 times higher in people who have metabolic syndrome compared to healthy people.
This was reported by a study that studied the effect of metabolic syndrome on heart disease involving as many as 14,364 participants from various ethnic groups observed for 13 years. In this period, 1,101 participants experienced coronary heart disease or ischemic stroke for the first time.
Researchers found that black participants with risk factors for metabolic syndrome and obesity were at 117 percent more likely to develop heart disease than healthy participants. Meanwhile, white participants with risk factors for metabolic syndrome had no difference in risk with healthy participants.
Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of death from heart disease
Another study published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism review 155,971 participant data from 2002 to 2009. Data were collected by filling out questionnaires and measuring body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar for each participant.
Researchers found that people who had metabolic syndrome were 1.6 times more at risk of dying from heart disease compared to people who did not show signs of metabolic syndrome.
However, this increased risk does not apply if diabetes and high blood pressure factors are eliminated. These findings indicate that diabetes and high blood pressure are a big factor in increasing the risk of death from heart disease in patients with metabolic syndrome.
How do you deal with the metabolic syndrome?
The main goal in the treatment of metabolic syndrome is to eliminate the causative factors and reduce the factors that can cause heart problems. Lifestyle changes are a treatment of the choice of metabolic syndrome.
Changes in diet that are rich in "good" fat, carbohydrates, and high protein can help overcome the metabolic syndrome.
Regular exercise programs such as 30 minutes per day for 5 days a week, are a good start too. Exercise has good benefits on blood pressure, cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity. If changes in diet and exercise have not been able to overcome the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, the use of drugs to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be considered.
