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What Are the Implications of Metabolic Syndrome on Heart Disease?
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What are the Implications of Metabolic Syndrome on Heart Disease?
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Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of symptoms that occur together and promote the development of coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.
Insulin resistance syndrome; Syndrome X
Metabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common in the United States. More than 50 million Americans are estimated to have the condition. Metabolic syndrome it is associated with many underlying conditions and risk factors. The two most important risk factors are: Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one single cause. But many experts believe that insulin resistance is the underlying cause. Insulin helps blood sugar (glucose) enter cells. If you have insulin resistance, your body doesn't respond to insulin, and blood sugar can't get into cells. As a result, the body produces more and more insulin. Insulin and blood sugar levels rise, affecting kidney function and raising the level of blood fats, such as triglycerides. Other risk factors include:
Alone, the symptoms can cause medical issues. Combined, they can present severe health problems. Symptoms include:
Tests that may be done to diagnose metabolic syndrome include: According to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute metabolic syndrome is present if you have three or more of the following:
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Reviewer Info: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 07/13/2007 |