You're likely to start by seeing your primary care provider. He or she may then refer you to a doctor who specializes in diabetes and other endocrine disorders endocrinologist or one who specializes in heart disease cardiologist.

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting for a specific test. Make a list of:. Take a family member or friend with you if possible, to help you remember the information you're given.

On this page. Self care. Preparing for your appointment. Request an appointment. Clinical trials. A healthy lifestyle includes: Regular physical activity. Health experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, such as brisk walking, daily.

But you don't have to do that activity all at once. Look for ways to increase activity any chance you get, such as walking instead of driving and using the stairs instead of an elevator. Weight loss. In fact, any amount of weight loss is beneficial. It's also important to maintain your weight loss.

If you're struggling with losing weight and keeping it off, talk to your doctor about what options might be available to help you, such as medications or weight-loss surgery. Healthy diet. Healthy-eating plans, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet, emphasize eating vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains and lean protein.

Healthy-eating plans tend to recommend limiting sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, salt, sugar and fat, especially saturated fat and trans fat. Stopping smoking. Giving up cigarettes greatly improves your overall health. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting. Reducing or managing stress.

Physical activity, meditation, yoga and other programs can help you handle stress and improve your emotional and physical health. What you can do When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting for a specific test.

Make a list of: Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including the doses Questions to ask your doctor Take a family member or friend with you if possible, to help you remember the information you're given.

For metabolic syndrome, basic questions to ask your doctor include: What conditions are causing metabolic syndrome for me? How can I reduce the risk of other health conditions caused by metabolic syndrome? Will losing weight help my condition?

What about exercise? Do I need any additional tests? I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together? Should I see a specialist? Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend? Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor Your doctor is likely to ask about your diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits. By Mayo Clinic Staff. May 06, Show References. Ferri FF. Metabolic syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Accessed March 1, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Metabolic syndrome syndrome X; insulin resistance syndrome. This may help prevent you from developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Insulin resistance means that your body does not use the hormone insulin as effectively as it should, especially in the muscles and liver. Normally, your digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which then passes from your intestine into your bloodstream. As your blood glucose level rises, your pancreas secretes insulin into your bloodstream.

Insulin allows glucose to move into your muscle cells from your blood. When a person has insulin resistance, the pancreas needs to produce and release more insulin than usual to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

It is thought that more than a quarter of the population has some degree of resistance to insulin. Insulin resistance increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and is found in most people with this form of diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes frequently also have other features of metabolic syndrome and a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular heart and blood vessel disease.

More than half of all Australians have at least one of the metabolic syndrome conditions. Suggestions for reducing your risk include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Heart. Metabolic syndrome.

Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome conditions are linked Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance Insulin resistance and diabetes Reducing your risk of metabolic syndrome Where to get help.

Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a collection of risk factors for that often occur together.

IFG occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Central obesity Central obesity is when the main deposits of body fat are around the abdomen and the upper body.

Cholesterol and triglycerides Cholesterol is a fatty substance that we make in our liver. Metabolic syndrome conditions are linked All of these conditions are interlinked in complicated ways and it is difficult to work out the chain of events. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance Insulin resistance means that your body does not use the hormone insulin as effectively as it should, especially in the muscles and liver.

Insulin resistance and diabetes Insulin resistance increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and is found in most people with this form of diabetes. Reducing your risk of metabolic syndrome More than half of all Australians have at least one of the metabolic syndrome conditions.

Suggestions for reducing your risk include: Incorporate as many positive lifestyle changes as you can — eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and losing weight will dramatically reduce your risk of diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Make dietary changes — eat plenty of natural wholegrain foods, vegetables and fruit. To help with weight loss, reduce the amount of food you eat and limit foods high in fat or sugar.

Reduce saturated fats, which are present in meat, full-cream dairy and many processed foods. Stop drinking alcohol or reduce your intake to less than two standard drinks a day.

Increase your physical activity level — regular exercise can take many different forms depending on what suits you best. Try and do at least 30 minutes of exercise on at least five days of each week.

Also try to avoid spending prolonged periods of time sitting down, by standing up or going for a one-to-two minute walk. Manage your weight — increasing physical activity and improving eating habits will help you lose excess body fat, and reduce your weight.

Quit smoking — smoking increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer and lung disease. Quitting will have many health benefits, especially if you have metabolic syndrome.

Medication may be required — lifestyle changes are extremely important in the management of the metabolic syndrome, but sometimes medication may be necessary to manage the different conditions.

Some people will need to take antihypertensive tablets to control high blood pressure or lipid-lowering medications or both to keep blood pressure and cholesterol within the recommended limits. The most important thing is to reduce your risk of heart attack, diabetes and stroke. Consult your doctor to decide what the best management strategy is for you.

Symptoms Diagnosis Causes and Risk Factors Treatment Living With. Metabolic Syndrome What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Language switcher English Español. You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following conditions.

A large waistline: This is also called abdominal obesity or "having an apple shape. High blood pressure : If your blood pressure rises and stays high for a long time, it can damage your heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure can also cause plaque, a waxy substance, to build up in your arteries.

Plaque can cause heart and blood vessel diseases such as heart attack or stroke. High blood sugar levels : This can damage your blood vessels and raise your risk of getting blood clots.

Blood clots can cause heart and blood vessel diseases. High blood triglycerides : Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. High levels of triglycerides can raise your levels of LDL cholesterol , sometimes called bad cholesterol. This raises your risk of heart disease. Low HDL cholesterol , sometimes called good cholesterol: Blood cholesterol levels are important for heart health.

Heart and blood vessel disease. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can contribute to the buildup of plaques in your arteries.

These plaques can narrow and harden your arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A healthy lifestyle includes: Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean protein and whole grains Limiting saturated fat and salt in your diet Maintaining a healthy weight Not smoking.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. May 06, Show References. Ferri FF. Metabolic syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Accessed March 1, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Metabolic syndrome syndrome X; insulin resistance syndrome. Merck Manual Professional Version. March 2, About metabolic syndrome.

American Heart Association. Meigs JB. Metabolic syndrome insulin resistance syndrome or syndrome X. Prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. Lear SA, et al. Ethnicity and metabolic syndrome: Implications for assessment, management and prevention.

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