What Most People Don't Understand About Metabolic Syndrome

Contrary to what you might assume, metabolic syndrome is not a single condition. It’s an umbrella term referring to a cluster of conditions that increases your risk of life-threatening health issues. If you have high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, or both, it might be time to talk to your doctor about metabolic syndrome. 

At West Houston Heart Center in Houston, Texas, Dr. Humayun Naqvi and his team offer preventative cardiology to protect your cardiovascular health, including a big picture view to pick up on metabolic syndrome if you have it, and take extra precautions to keep you going strong. 

Understanding metabolic syndrome 

The largest misconception about metabolic syndrome comes from its name. You might not realize you have it until you discover the criteria. This is because metabolic syndrome is an umbrella term used for comorbid conditions that increase your chances of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. 

To meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, you must have at least three of the following: 

• Elevated blood sugar levels, including prediabetes 
• Low levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol 
• Excess abdominal weight not attributed to your body type
• Hypertriglyceridemia, or high levels of triglycerides
• High blood pressure, or hypertension 

All of these issues are exceedingly common in the United States, and it’s estimated that one in three adults has metabolic syndrome. If you meet any of the criteria above, you might benefit from seeing a cardiologist. 

Managing metabolic syndrome

The best way to manage metabolic syndrome is by approaching it from as many angles as possible. Since the syndrome consists of multiple comorbid conditions, you’ll need to treat all of these separately but simultaneously to improve your overall health. 

This might mean taking medication for high blood pressure, changing your diet, and losing weight. A small amount of weight loss can go a long way, especially in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. 

In fact, you don’t need to lose much to reap the benefits of weight loss — the first 5% is the most important. Losing a small amount of weight can address all of the issues associated with metabolic syndrome, lowering your blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels, and increasing levels of HDL cholesterol in one fell swoop.

Preventative cardiology is extremely important for people with metabolic syndrome. While a general practitioner might see these issues separately, Dr. Naqvi sees the bigger picture. 

With regular evaluations and screenings, he can assess your cardiovascular health and provide a personalized strategy to protect your heart. This plan can address every aspect of metabolic syndrome and may include:

• Weight loss
• Nutritional counseling 
• Blood pressure medication 
• Improved diabetes management 
• Cholesterol management 

Do you fit the criteria for metabolic syndrome? Call Houston Heart Center at 832-400-3957, or request an appointment online.