What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome refers to the presence of a cluster of risk factors specific for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome greatly raises the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or all three. 

The cluster of metabolic factors involved includes:

• Abdominal obesity. This means having a waist circumference of more than 35 inches for women and more than 40 inches for men.

• High blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) or higher. Normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120 mm Hg for systolic pressure (the top number), and less than 80 mm Hg for diastolic pressure (the bottom number). High blood pressure is strongly tied to obesity. It is often found in people with insulin resistance.

• Impaired fasting blood glucose. This means a level equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL

• High triglyceride levels of more than 150 mg/dL. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood.

• Low HDL (good) cholesterol. Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women is considered low.

REFERENCE:  

John Hopkins Medicine https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/metabolic-syndrome