J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2006;21:298-305.
Bhatheja R, Bhatt DL
Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors. Its definition is the presence of any three of the following:
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Obesity (Body Mass Index BMI greater than 25)
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Raised blood fat levels (raised triglycerides),
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Low levels of 'good cholesterol' (low HDL cholesterol),
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Hypertension and
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Abnormally high blood sugar (raised fasting plasma glucose)
The challenge for patients and doctors is that metabolic syndrome has no symptoms. Often, the first sign that it may be present is an episode of angina or a heart attack which is the most dreaded complication of this disease. In the United States, Mexican Americans and African American women are the most affected. Management of this syndrome includes physical exercise, weight loss, and effective drug treatment of blood abnormalities.
Because of the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes, there is a rise in fatal and non-fatal heart attacks. Oral diabetes drugs improve insulin resistance and may have a favourable effect in those with metabolic syndrome. Diagnosis and appropriate management of metabolic syndrome are challenges as the presence of risk factors such as obesity predates the coronary event by years.
