Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk
HEALTH INSIGHTS

Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk

By Andrews, Linda Wasmer 
 | 
November 24, 2017

Metabolic Syndrome: Lowering Your Heart Disease Risk

For people with metabolic syndrome, the risk of developing heart disease can be a concern. Here’s how you can help keep your heart healthy:

  • Control high blood pressure. One characteristic of metabolic syndrome in adults is when one or both blood pressure numbers are elevated. Blood pressure numbers of 130/80 mm Hg or higher are considered high blood pressure, or hypertension. To keep your numbers down:

    • Lose weight, if needed.

    • Limit saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol in your diet.

    • Get regular exercise.

    • Avoid drinking too much alcohol.

    • Take any prescribed medicine as directed.

  • Keep your cholesterol in check. Having high blood cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease. High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or triglycerides are risk factors. It’s possible to have only a low level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. This, by itself, can lead to heart disease.

  • If you need cholesterol-lowering medicine, take it as prescribed. The same steps that help control blood pressure can help keep cholesterol in line.

  • Control your blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar (near the upper limit of normal) is a common part of metabolic syndrome. The same steps that help control blood pressure can help keep your blood glucose under control.

Updated:  

November 24, 2017

Sources:  

The Metabolic Syndrome (INsulin Resistance Syndrome or Syndrome X). UpToDate

Reviewed By:  

Hurd, Robert, MD,Sather, Rita, RN,Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN, RN