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Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH — By Markus MacGill — Updated on November 14, Symptoms Treatment Diet Diagnosis Causes Risk factors Metabolic syndrome is a condition that appears to increase the risk of a cluster of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol.

Risk factors. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

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gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors for heart disease , diabetes , and other health problems. You can have just one risk factor, but people often have several of them together.

When you have at least three of them, it is called metabolic syndrome. These risk factors include:. The more factors you have, the higher your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke is. People who have metabolic syndrome often also have excessive blood clotting and inflammation throughout the body.

Researchers don't know whether these conditions cause metabolic syndrome or worsen it. Most of the metabolic risk factors have no obvious signs or symptoms, except for a large waistline. Your health care provider will diagnose metabolic syndrome based on the results of a physical exam and blood tests.

You must have at least three of the risk factors to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome:. The most important treatment for metabolic syndrome is a heart-healthy lifestyle, which includes:. If making lifestyle changes is not enough, you may need to take medicines. For example, you may need medicines to lower cholesterol or blood pressure.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Metabolic Syndrome Also called: Insulin resistance syndrome, Metabolic syndrome X. On this page Basics Summary Start Here Symptoms. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. If your GP or hospital specialist thinks you have metabolic syndrome, they will:.

They will usually arrange some blood tests to check your blood glucose and the fats in your blood, such as cholesterol. They may tell you not to eat or drink anything apart from water for up to 12 hours before the test.

Treatment for metabolic syndrome usually involves making changes to your lifestyle. The best way to prevent metabolic syndrome, to treat it and prevent complications is through a healthy lifestyle. eat less saturated fat and meat and dairy products and have more fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

do at least minutes of moderate to intense exercise a week, spread over at least 4 or 5 days. try to cut down or quit smoking if you smoke.

Researchers analyzed survey data from more than 17, people who were representative of the US population in gender, race, and ethnicity. While the overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased slightly between and — going from Rates of metabolic syndrome were similar among men and women, but increased with age from about one in five in young adults to nearly half of all people over Perhaps these findings should not be surprising given the connection between obesity and metabolic syndrome, and the well-documented epidemic of obesity in this country.

Still, it is particularly worrisome that metabolic syndrome is rising so fast among certain ethnic groups and young adults, and there is currently little reason to think these trends won't continue in the near future. The finding that metabolic syndrome is more common among certain ethnic groups reveals significant health disparities.

These disparities are important not only in the context of long-term health consequences, but also because of the current pandemic. Some components of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity and hypertension, are associated with more severe COVID Separately, research shows higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and deaths from COVID among some racial and ethnic groups.

For example, hospitalization rates for COVID among Blacks and Hispanics are four to five times higher than for non-Hispanic white people. Health disparities associated with COVID may reflect a complex combination of elements — not just age and chronic medical conditions, but also genetic , social , environmental , and occupational factors.

Similar factors probably play a role in why metabolic syndrome affects, and is rising in, some groups more than others. This is an area of active and much needed research.

The biggest priority now regarding metabolic syndrome is prevention. Healthy habits can have a big impact on maintaining a healthy weight and normal blood sugar, lipid levels, and blood pressure.

Once present, metabolic syndrome can be treated with loss of excess weight, improved diet such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet , and, when necessary, with medications including those that can improve blood lipids, or lower blood pressure or blood sugar.

Metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for some of the most common and deadly conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We need to figure out how to more effectively prevent and treat it, particularly because it appears to be on the rise.

A good starting point is to pay more attention to risk factors such as excess weight, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Now you know what metabolic syndrome is. Considering that about one in three people in the US has this condition, it's likely someone close to you has it.

Talk to your doctor about whether that "someone" is you. Robert H. Shmerling, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing.

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What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? It is linked to insulin resistance. This is when your body does not respond to the hormone insulin properly. It may also be linked to having too much fat around your tummy.

If your GP or hospital specialist thinks you have metabolic syndrome, they will:. They will usually arrange some blood tests to check your blood glucose and the fats in your blood, such as cholesterol.

They may tell you not to eat or drink anything apart from water for up to 12 hours before the test. Treatment for metabolic syndrome usually involves making changes to your lifestyle.

The best way to prevent metabolic syndrome, to treat it and prevent complications is through a healthy lifestyle. eat less saturated fat and meat and dairy products and have more fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

do at least minutes of moderate to intense exercise a week, spread over at least 4 or 5 days. try to cut down or quit smoking if you smoke. Metabolic syndrome increases your chances of having cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Page last reviewed: 16 November Next review due: 16 November