Metabolic syndrome

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Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of abnormal test findings related to the body's metabolism. These findings include excess body fat (particularly abdominal obesity); elevated triglycerides, blood pressure, and fasting glucose; and low HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).

Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to a specific metabolic problem called insulin resistance, in which normal actions of insulin are impaired.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol, which carries mostly fat and only a small amount of protein from the liver to other parts of the body. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is sometimes called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol (a waxy, fatlike substance) from building up in the arteries.

Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), even beyond that caused by high LDL cholesterol alone. Weight loss and increased physical activity can reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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