24/07/2026
Metabolic syndrome involves having at least 3 out of 5 health conditions that increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. It can cause other complications as well. Each condition is treatable with lifestyle changes and/or medication.
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can lead to other health problems as well, like conditions related to plaque buildup in artery walls (atherosclerosis) and organ damage.
Overview
Overview
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can lead to other health problems as well, like conditions related to plaque buildup in artery walls (atherosclerosis) and organ damage.
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Other names for metabolic syndrome include:
Syndrome X.
Insulin resistance syndrome.
Dysmetabolic syndrome.
Criteria for metabolic syndrome
A person meets the criteria for metabolic syndrome if they have at least three of the following:
Excess abdominal weight: A waist circumference of more than 40 inches in males and 35 inches in females
Hypertriglyceridemia: Triglyceride levels that are 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater.
Low levels of HDL cholesterol: HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in males or less than 50 mg/dL in females.
Elevated blood sugar levels: Fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL or greater. If it’s 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have prediabetes. If it’s over 125 mg/dL, you likely have Type 2 diabetes.
High blood pressure: Blood pressure values of systolic 130 mmHg or higher (the top number) and/or diastolic 85 mmHg or higher (the bottom number).
symptoms.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can cause symptoms for some people, like:
Darkened skin in your armpits or the back and sides of your neck (acanthosis nigricans).
Blurred vision.
Increased thirst (polydipsia).
