What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is the name given to a cluster of medical conditions that significantly increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attack and stroke.

How common is metabolic syndrome?

An estimated 20 to 25 percent of American adults have metabolic syndrome, according to the American Heart Association, and like obesity and diabetes the condition is becoming more common. Even children have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. It tends to affect each sex in roughly equal numbers. However, your risk of developing the condition tends to be related to your age, race, weight, and medical history.

The American Heart Association has stated that Mexican Americans have the highest risk of metabolic syndrome (32 percent), followed by white Americans (23 percent), African Americans (22 percent) and "other" racial groups (20 percent).

What complications are associated with metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome drastically increases the risk of developing certain conditions, including:

• Type 2 diabetes. A chronic metabolic condition in which the body is unable to use insulin properly or does not produce enough of this glucose-regulating hormone.
  
  
• Cardiovascular disease. Disorder of the heart and blood vessels. In addition to raising the risk of heart conditions, metabolic syndrome can be a marker of undiagnosed atherosclerosis, even if you're young and otherwise healthy, according to recent research.
  
  
• Stroke. An event in which the flow of oxygen to the brain is suddenly interrupted.
  
  
• Fatty liver disease. A buildup of fat in the liver cells, which can lead to hepatitis and cirrhosis.