Metabolic syndrome

The National Institutes of Health guidelines define metabolic syndrome as having three or more of the following traits, including traits for which you may be taking medication to control:

Large waist — A waistline that measures at least 35 inches (89 centimeters) for women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) for men

High triglyceride level — 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or higher of this type of fat found in blood

Reduced "good" or HDL cholesterol — Less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men or less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

Increased blood pressure — 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher

Elevated fasting blood sugar — 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher

If you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, the goal of treatment will be to reduce your risk of developing further health complications.

A doctor may suggest:

a healthy diet

regular exercise, including aerobic exercise or resistance training

weight loss

medication

reducing other cardiovascular risks, such as by quitting smoking

Your doctor may recommend losing around 7 percent of your current weight and getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise 5 to 7 days a week. This may help reverse the syndrome.

Medications for metabolic syndrome may include

medications to regulate insulin or lower blood sugar

medications to reduce high blood pressure

medications to reduce cholesterol

low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack