Disease or Syndrome
metabolic syndrome
met·a·bol·ic syn·drome [ meh-tuh-bah-lik sin-drome ]
Subclass of:
Metabolic Diseases;
Insulin Resistance
Also called:
Insulin resistance syndrome; Syndrome X
Definitions related to metabolic syndrome x:
-
(metabolic syndrome) A collection of metabolic risk factors in one individual. The root causes of metabolic syndrome are overweight / obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic factors. Various risk factors have been included in metabolic syndrome. Factors generally accepted as being characteristic of this syndrome include abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, insulin resistence with or without glucose intolerance, prothrombotic state, and proinflammatory state.NCI Health Level 7 VocabularyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018
-
(metabolic syndrome) A cluster of risk factors that accelerate the progression of heart disease.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
-
(metabolic syndrome) A cluster of symptoms that are risk factors for CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES and TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS. The major components of metabolic syndrome include ABDOMINAL OBESITY; atherogenic DYSLIPIDEMIA; HYPERTENSION; HYPERGLYCEMIA; INSULIN RESISTANCE; a proinflammatory state; and a prothrombotic (THROMBOSIS) state.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
-
(metabolic syndrome) A combination of medical conditions that when present, increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes mellitus. It includes the following medical conditions: increased blood pressure, central obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance.NCIU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(metabolic syndrome) A multifaceted syndrome characterized by clustering of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, associated with dyslipidemia, essential hypertension, abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance or noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus, and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
-
(metabolic syndrome) Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. You can have just one risk factor, but people often have several of them together. When you have at least three of them, it is called metabolic syndrome. These risk factors include: A large waistline, also called abdominal obesity or "having an apple shape." Too much fat around the stomach is a greater risk factor for heart disease than too much fat in other parts of the body.; Having a high triglyceride level. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood.; Having a low HDL cholesterol level. HDL is sometimes called the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries.; Having high blood pressure. If your blood pressure stays high over time, it can damage your heart and lead to other health problems.; Having a high fasting blood sugar. Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes. The more factors you have, the higher your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke is. Metabolic syndrome has several causes that act together: Overweight and obesity; An inactive lifestyle; Insulin resistance, a condition in which the body can't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps move blood sugar into your cells to give them energy. Insulin resistance can lead to high blood sugar levels.; Age - your risk goes up as get older; Genetics - ethnicity and family history. People who have metabolic syndrome often also have excessive blood clotting and inflammation throughout the body. Researchers don't know whether these conditions cause metabolic syndrome or worsen it. The most important risk factors for metabolic syndrome are: Abdominal obesity (a large waistline); An inactive lifestyle; Insulin resistance. There are certain groups of people who have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome: Some racial and ethnic groups. Mexican Americans have the highest rate of metabolic syndrome, followed by whites and blacks.; People who have diabetes; People who have a sibling or parent who has diabetes; Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); People who take medicines that cause weight gain or changes in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Most of the metabolic risk factors have no obvious signs or symptoms, except for a large waistline. Your health care provider will diagnose metabolic syndrome based on the results of a physical exam and blood tests. You must have at least three of the risk factors to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome: A large waistline, which means a waist measurement of 35 inches or more for women; 40 inches or more for men.; A high triglyceride level, which is 150 mg/dL or higher; A low HDL cholesterol level, which is Less than 50 mg/dL for women; Less than 40 mg/dL for men.; High blood pressure, which is a reading of 130/85 mmHg or higher.; A high fasting blood sugar, which is 100 mg/dL or higher. The most important treatment for metabolic syndrome is a heart-healthy lifestyle, which includes: A heart-healthy eating plan, which limits the amount of saturated and trans fats that you eat. It encourages you to choose a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.; Aiming for a healthy weight; Managing stress; Getting regular physical activity; Quitting...MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
-
A condition is marked by extra fat around the abdomen, high levels of blood glucose (sugar) when not eating, high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood, low levels of high-density lipoproteins (a type of protein that carries fats) in the blood, and high blood pressure. People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of diabetes mellitus and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a large waist circumference (due to excess abdominal fat), hypertension, abnormal fasting plasma glucose or insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Causes, complications, diagnosis, and treatment are similar to those of obesity.Merck & Co., Inc., 2025
-
Metabolic syndrome is a multiplex risk factor that arises from insulin resistance accompanying abnormal adipose deposition and function. It is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, as well as diabetes, fatty liver, and several cancers.WebMD, 2025
-
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2025
-
Metabolic syndrome, originally described by Reaven in 1988 as "syndrome X" or "insulin resistance syndrome," is a cluster of common abnormalities, including insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, abdominal obesity, reduced HDL-cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides, and hypertension. No known common cause unifies its...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
-
Metabolic syndrome, syndrome characterized by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer. The condition was first named Syndrome X in 1988 by American endocrinologist Gerald Reaven, who...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> M
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.