Consequences of Metabolic Syndrome and how to treat it

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world and continues to increase. Cholesterol and circulating fats are deposited inside the arteries producing an inflammation of the vessel wall, which gives rise to atheroma plaque and atherosclerosis. These plaques can partially or totally obstruct the lumen of these vessels and lead to ischemia or infarction of the irrigated territory, such as the heart or brain.

There are so-called cardiovascular risk factors; they are those that favor the formation of these atherosclerosis plaques. Those who have them are more susceptible or prone to develop this type of disease related to cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is the name given to the set of risk factors that are present in an individual and predispose him or her to develop type 2 DM and cardiovascular disease.

Currently, the major risk factors are considered to be:

  • Altered basal glucose or prediabetes (at more than 100 mg/dl).
  • Abdominal or central obesity, measured by waist circumference (greater than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women).
  • Arterial hypertension (over 130/80)
  • Triglycerides (more than 150 mg/dl)
  • Low HDL (known as good cholesterol).

Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome

The diagnosis requires the coexistence of three or more of these factors in a person.

What is the cause?

The fundamental cause of this is due to insulin resistance. There is a peripheral insulin resistance (insulin cannot act properly in the cells), so it increases in the blood giving rise to hyperinsulinemia, which is the cause of most of the syndrome. In turn, hyperinsulinemia can lead to dyslipidemia, weight gain, fatty liver, polycystic ovary, sleep apnea and sexual dysfunction. In women, it increases the incidence of breast and endometrial cancer. This happens mainly in obese people.

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There are other factors also involved in the origin of the syndrome such as the elevation of fatty acids and the alteration of adipokines.

Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome

Many times this situation goes unnoticed by the patient, until he/she develops diabetes or suffers a myocardial or cerebral infarction, being diagnosed at that moment. Others, however, may manifest as any complication of the syndrome such as obesity, fatty liver, or polycystic ovary.

What is the solution?

The important thing is prevention. Those who have a high probability of suffering from it should go to an Endocrinology specialist. People with overweight, hypertension, increased uric acid, first-degree relatives with vascular problems and diabetes mellitus make up the main group of patients at risk.

Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and insulin resistance are the basis of the syndrome, so the first step is a change in lifestyle. It is necessary to follow a healthy diet and do physical exercise to reach an adequate weight. Physical exercise should be moderate and regular, at least 3 times a week along with a healthy diet, which should be rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats. The balanced diet is the one that has the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fat that each one should take, distributed in five doses. Give up smoking and avoid alcohol. It is necessary to take the calories needed, both to lose weight and to prevent weight gain. Comorbidities should also be treated separately: dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension and fatty liver disease.