Metabolic syndrome refers to a combination of unhealthy circumstances that increase the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, 23 percent of adults have metabolic syndrome. There are five risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome are:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Insulin resistance (high blood sugar)
- Excessive fat around the waist
- High triglyceride levels
- Low HDL/good cholesterol
Having one of these risk factors present makes heart disease more likely. Suffering from more than one can significantly increase your risk of major health problems. The team at our Tijuana, MX practice offers metabolic surgery solutions that can help you lose weight and improve your health. Let’s discuss each of the metabolic syndrome risk factors in more detail below and discuss options for treatment.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
If you suffer from high blood pressure, your risk for a number of health problems increases. High blood pressure is considered anything greater than 130/85 mmHg.
Insulin Resistance (High Blood Sugar)
High blood sugar is sure to increase the risk of major health problems if it is not addressed. This means a fasting glucose of 100 mg/dl or greater.
Excessive Fat Around the Waist
Carrying extra body fat around the waist increases your likelihood of various health problems, and it’s an indication of being overweight or obesity. This usually means a waist of 40 inches or greater in men, or 35 inches or greater in women.
High Triglyceride Levels
Having too much fat in your bloodstream is a cause for a alarm and should be considered a call to action. Be concerned of measurements of 150 mg/dl or greater.
Low HDL/Good Cholesterol
HDLs are the cholesterol that’s good for you. When you have low levels of HDL, you should be concerned. For men, a low HDL reading is less than 40 mg/dl; for women, low HDL is less than 50 mg/dl.
Age and Metabolic Syndrome
As you get older, the chances of suffering from any of the above issues gets higher. Long-term problems with the above can also result in a health problems later in life.
Family History and Metabolic Syndrome
If your relatives have suffered from the above metabolic syndrome risk factors, you are more likely to experience these health issues as well.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Metabolic Syndrome
Weight gain and other health problems are often linked to people who have sedentary lifestyles. It’s important to exercise and stay active to help promote better health.
Poor Diet and Metabolic Syndrome
People with bad eating habits are more likely to gain weight and develop metabolic syndrome. Healthy, balanced, whole food diets that are rich in vegetables and fruits can help prevent these issues.
Treating Metabolic Syndrome
Changing your lifestyle to lose weight and stay as healthy as possible is your best option for treating metabolic syndrome. If you have been unable to lose weight through natural means, bariatric surgery can be immensely helpful. We can discuss these weight loss surgery methods with you during a consultation at our practice.
Learn More About Metabolic Syndrome
For more information about metabolic syndrome and what can be done to treat it, be sure to contact the weight loss surgery specialists at LIMARP®. We look forward to your visit and discussing these issues with you in greater detail.
