Metabolic Syndrome And The Heart

Answer 1

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of symptoms and conditions that, if occurring simultaneously, can significantly raise the risk of adverse events affecting the heart and lead to Diabetes in the future. This syndrome affects more and more people in the United States, leading to a stark picture of the future of the health of American lives.

The exact criteria of metabolic syndrome depends on who you ask. Different organizations of expertise have different specifications for the criteria of metabolic syndrome, but each share the same recurrent themes. The International Diabetes Foundation sets the criteria for metabolic syndrome as central obesity, along with two of the following:

• hypertriglyceridemia (or even levels greater than 150)
• Reduced levels of HDL, the good type of cholesterol
• Hypertension, or blood pressure greater than 130/85
• Raised fasting blood glucose levels, or a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization defines metabolic syndrome as the presence of diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, or impaired glucose tolerance and two of the following:

• Stage I hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140/90)
• Dyslipidemia; either low levels of HDL or high levels of triglycerides
• central obesity
• microalbuminuria, or the presence of protein in the urine.

Despite the many criteria to define metabolic syndrome, the main theme about metabolic syndrome is that it is a combination of high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high blood sugars, and central obesity. The underlying theory of metabolic syndrome is that central obesity leads to increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or TNF_. This cytokine, which is a signaling protein used by the immune system, triggers the immune system and causes a number of effects. It can alter levels of proteins and hormones that are responsible for maintaining body fat, and can itself lead to insulin resistance. This in turn can lead to diabetes and heart problems in the future. Many case studies and retrospective studies in patients developing diabetes and heart problems show an alarming similarity in that they have the above stated medical problems and central obesity.

The key to preventing metabolic syndrome is to control body weight and stress. Being overweight is one of the most key factors in this syndrome; thus exercise and diet are key components in preventing this. Prolonged stress can also contribute to obesity as well. It ultimately boils down to keeping a healthy lifestyle with balance in both physical and emotional health.