Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of health problems that occur together. They increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It isn’t a single disease. It’s a pattern of conditions that affect how your body uses and stores energy.
When you have metabolic syndrome, your body has trouble managing blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body fat. These changes can strain your heart and blood vessels. Many people don’t feel sick at first, but it can still affect your long-term health.
Symptoms
Metabolic syndrome often doesn’t cause clear symptoms. Many people learn they have it after routine blood tests or a blood pressure check.
Common signs and related findings include:
Increased waist size, especially extra fat around the abdomen
High blood pressure
High blood sugar on lab tests
High triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood
Low HDL cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol
Some people may also notice:
Darkened skin in body folds, such as the neck or armpits
Fatigue
Increased thirst or urination if blood sugar is very high
Causes & Risk Factors
Metabolic syndrome develops when the systems that control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol don’t work together as they should.
Causes
A key problem in metabolic syndrome is insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, sugar stays in your blood instead of moving into your cells. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Insulin resistance can also affect how your body handles fats. Triglyceride levels may rise, and HDL cholesterol may drop. Extra fat stored around the abdomen can release substances that raise blood pressure and worsen insulin resistance.
These changes often occur together, leading to the cluster of findings called metabolic syndrome.
Risk Factors
Some factors increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Modifiable risk factors
Overweight or obesity, especially excess abdominal fat
Physical inactivity
Diets high in processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats
Poor sleep
Chronic stress
Non-modifiable risk factors
Older age
Family history of type 2 diabetes or heart disease
Certain hormonal conditions
Metabolic syndrome is more common in some racial and ethnic groups, including people of Hispanic, Black, Native American, and Asian descent. Risk relates to many factors, including genetics, environment, and access to care.
Diagnosis
Clinicians diagnose metabolic syndrome based on a group of measurements. You must have at least three of the following:
Increased waist circumference (different cutoffs are used based on sex and ethnicity)
Elevated blood pressure or treatment for high blood pressure
High fasting blood sugar or treatment for high blood sugar
High triglycerides
Low HDL cholesterol
Diagnosis requires blood tests and a physical exam. Blood pressure and waist size are measured in the office. Blood sugar and cholesterol levels are checked with a fasting blood test.
In some cases, clinicians repeat tests on a different day to confirm results.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The goal is to improve blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and weight.
Not every person needs the same treatment plan. Care depends on your health history and lab results.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are the foundation of treatment.
Losing even a small amount of weight, such as 5–10% of your body weight
Increasing physical activity, such as brisk walking, on most days of the week
Choosing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats
Limiting sugary drinks and highly processed foods
Improving sleep habits
Stopping smoking
Even small changes can improve your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Medications
Some people also need medications.
Your clinician may prescribe:
Blood pressure medications
Cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins
Medications to lower blood sugar
Each medication targets a specific risk factor. You may need one or several, depending on your numbers.
Procedures
Procedures aren’t used to treat metabolic syndrome directly. However, bariatric surgery may be an option for some people with severe obesity. Surgery can improve weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure in selected patients.
Surgery requires careful evaluation and long-term follow-up.
Living With/Prevention
Metabolic syndrome is manageable. Many people improve their numbers with consistent changes and medical care.
Regular follow-up visits help your clinician track:
Blood pressure
Blood sugar
Cholesterol levels
Weight and waist size
Your clinician may adjust your plan based on results.
Prevention focuses on healthy daily habits:
Stay physically active
Choose balanced meals
Maintain a healthy weight
Get enough sleep
Avoid tobacco
If you have one risk factor, addressing it early can prevent others from developing. Small, steady steps can protect your heart and overall health.
Learn how to manage metabolic syndrome
Explore practical steps, treatment options, and daily habits that support your heart and metabolic health.
References
American Heart Association. Symptoms and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Accessed February 27, 2026.
National Library of Medicine. Metabolic syndrome. MedlinePlus. Accessed February 27, 2026.
Swarup S, Ahmed I, Grigorova Y, Zeltser R. Metabolic syndrome. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
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