Before we list the metabolic syndrome risk factors, it would be useful to first describe exactly what metabolic syndrome is. As a reference, it used to be called metabolic syndrome X, and is now sometime referred to as insulin resistance syndrome. Now most commonly referred to as metabolic syndrome, risk factors have not changed despite what it is called.

Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of risk factors that increase the chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some other health complications. The word “metabolic” is just a medical term referring to the biochemical processes that are involved in the normal functioning of the body. And “risk factors” are conditions (medical or environmental), traits, and habits or lifestyle choices that increase the chances of developing something. There are five metabolic syndrome risk factors, and to have metabolic syndrome, you must have at least three of them. Almost anyone can have one of these metabolic syndrome risk factors without considered to have metabolic syndrome.

The five metabolic syndrome risk factors are listed below, and we can take a brief look at each one in the next section.

  1. A large waistline
  2. Higher than normal triglycerides
  3. Low HDL cholesterol
  4. Higher than normal blood pressure
  5. Higher than normal blood sugar

 

The Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors Defined

 

The criteria for each of the metabolic syndrome risk factors is given in a little more detail in this section, as “higher than normal” is too vague to really be of any help.

  1. A large waistline – this is defined as a waist measurement of more than 40 inches in men and 35 inches on women. Also referred to as abdominal obesity, extra fat in the stomach area is a greater risk for heart disease than excess fat in other body areas.
  2. Higher than normal triglycerides – triglycerides are a fat type found in the blood. You are considered to have this risk factor if your triglycerides test at 150mg/dL or higher. You also have this risk factor if you are on medications to treat high triglycerides.
  3. Low HDL cholesterol – This is the “good” cholesterol. Low HDL readings are less than 50 mg/dL in women and less than 40 mg/dL in men. Again, if you are taking medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol, you are considered to have this risk factor.
  4. Higher than normal blood pressure – If your blood pressure is higher than 130 mm Hg for the top number or 85 mm Hg for the low number, you have e than normal blood pressure. You also have this risk factor if you are taking medication to lower your blood pressure
  5. Higher than normal blood sugar – A fasting blood sugar reading of 100 mg/dL or higher is considered higher than normal

 

How Common is Metabolic Syndrome?

 

The chances of developing 3 or more of the metabolic syndrome risk factors increase with age, and it’s estimated that about 22% of all adults in the U.S. have metabolic syndrome. People over the age of 60 have metabolic syndrome at a rate around 60%.

Black women are more likely to have three or more of the metabolic syndrome risk factors than black men (57% more likely) and Caucasian men and women have metabolic syndrome at the same rate.