Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It is diagnosed when someone has at least three of the following risk factors:

• Increased blood pressure
• High blood sugar levels
• Excess body fat around the waist
• Abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Insulin resistance

Metabolic syndrome is increasingly common, and up to one-third of U.S. adults have it. The underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, genetic factors, and increasing age. Although metabolic syndrome is a serious condition, it can be treated with lifestyle changes and/or medication. The main goals of treating metabolic syndrome are to lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes if they don’t already exist. Lifestyle changes involved in managing metabolic syndrome include a healthy diet, physical activity and exercise, stopping smoking if you’re a smoker or use other tobacco products, and losing weight if you are overweight or obese.