Excess abdominal fat increases the risk of high blood pressure High Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Often no cause for high blood pressure can be identified, but sometimes it occurs as a result of an underlying... read more
, coronary artery disease Overview of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more 
, and type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Urination and thirst are... read more .To diagnose metabolic syndrome, doctors measure waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar and fat (lipid) levels.
Exercise, changes in eating habits, behavioral techniques, and drugs may be used to help people lose weight.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood cholesterol and fat levels are treated.
Metabolic syndrome is a serious problem. In the United States, more than 40% of people over 50 may have it. Even children and adolescents can develop metabolic syndrome, but how many have it is unknown.
Metabolic syndrome is more likely to develop when people store excess fat in the abdomen (apple-shaped) rather than around the hips (pear-shaped). The following people tend to store excess fat in the abdomen:
Most men
Women after menopause
Storing excess fat in the abdomen increases the risk of the following:
Abnormal levels of fats, including cholesterol, in the blood (dyslipidemia Dyslipidemia Dyslipidemia is a high level of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, or both) or a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Lifestyle, genetics, disorders (such as low thyroid hormone... read more
)
Metabolic syndrome itself causes no symptoms.
(See also Obesity Obesity Obesity is excess body weight. Obesity is influenced by a combination of factors, which usually results in consuming more calories than the body needs. These factors may include physical inactivity... read more 
.)
Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome
Waist circumference
Blood pressure measurement
Blood tests to measure sugar and fat (lipid) levels
Waist circumference should be measured in all people because even people who are not overweight or appear lean can store excess fat in the abdomen. The greater the waist circumference, the higher the risk of metabolic syndrome and its complications. The waist circumference that increases risk of complications due to obesity varies by ethnic group and sex.
If waist circumference is high, doctors should measure blood pressure and blood sugar and fat levels after fasting. Levels of both blood sugar and fats are often abnormal.
Metabolic syndrome has many different definitions, but it is most often diagnosed when the waist circumference is 40 inches (102 centimeters) or more in men or 35 inches (88 centimeters) or more in women (indicating excess fat in the abdomen) and when people have or are being treated for two or more of the following:
A fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or higher
Blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) or higher
A fasting blood triglyceride (a fat) level of 150 mg/dL or higher
A high density lipoprotein (HDL—the good) cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL for men or less than 50 mg/dL for women
Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
Exercise and changes in eating habits
Treatment of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abnormal fat levels
Sometimes metformin
The initial treatment of metabolic syndrome involves exercise and changes in eating habits. Each part of metabolic syndrome should also be treated with drugs if necessary.
If people have diabetes Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Urination and thirst are... read more or a high blood sugar level, drugs that increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, such as metformin or a thiazolidinedione drug (for example, rosiglitazone or pioglitazone), may help. Also, exercise is important for people with diabetes because it enables the body to use blood sugar more efficiently and can often help lower the blood sugar level.
High blood pressure High Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Often no cause for high blood pressure can be identified, but sometimes it occurs as a result of an underlying... read more and abnormal fat levels in blood are also treated. Drugs to lower blood pressure (antihypertensives Drug Treatment of High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is very common. It often does not cause symptoms; however, high blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. Therefore, it is important... read more ) or to lower lipid levels Lipid-lowering drugs Dyslipidemia is a high level of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, or both) or a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Lifestyle, genetics, disorders (such as low thyroid hormone... read more are used if needed.
Other risk factors for coronary artery disease Risk Factors Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more , if present, should be controlled. For example, smokers are advised to stop smoking.
