Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors -- any 3 of 5 -- that together raise cardiovascular and diabetes risk well beyond what any single factor would predict, per NCEP ATP III criteria (2001): elevated waist circumference, high triglycerides, low HDL, high blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose.
Symptoms
No direct symptoms -- metabolic syndrome is identified by measurement, not how you feel, which is exactly why it's often missed until a cardiovascular event or diabetes diagnosis brings it to light.
Causes and risk
Central (visceral) obesity and insulin resistance are the common threads underlying all five components; inactivity, diet, and genetics all contribute.
How it is evaluated
Diagnosis requires measuring all five components: waist circumference, blood pressure, and a fasting panel for triglycerides, HDL, and glucose.
Treatment
Lifestyle change is first-line: 5-10% weight loss, a Mediterranean-style diet, and at least 150 minutes of activity per week, per the AHA scientific statement and the 2026 AHA/ACC/ADA/ASN cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic guideline. Each component is also treated on its own merits when lifestyle change is not enough.
When to seek care
Metabolic syndrome itself is not an emergency, but chest pain or stroke symptoms -- its downstream risks -- require calling 911.