How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?

The article was professionally consulted by a General Internal Medicine Doctor - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of factors that cause future risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, affecting the quality of life and health of people with the disease. Nowadays, metabolic syndrome tends to increase due to diet and lifestyle.

The metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that cluster together in a patient, which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is also known as syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome.
The factors mentioned in the metabolic syndrome can be recognized by the patient himself and the signs through laboratory tests:
People with abdominal obesity Dyslipidemia: This is a condition Disorders of lipids in the blood, such as elevated triglycerides, low HDL-C, high LDL-C and other lipid components, increase the risk of forming atherosclerotic plaques in the artery walls. Hypertension: Blood pressure is high or has been diagnosed with hypertension. Insulin resistance or sugar intolerance is a condition in which the body cannot use insulin and sugar effectively. Although insulin in the blood increases, but due to decreased sensitivity to insulin at the cell surface makes the action of insulin less effective, thereby causing hyperglycemia.

Precoagulopathy: Elevated fibrinogen and PAI-1-activated plasminogen inhibitors in the blood. Thereby increasing the likelihood of blood clots forming and reducing the ability to dissolve clots. Pro-inflammatory conditions: Tests show elevated CRP in the blood. This index may be related to lipid metabolism disorders causing vasculitis, CRP helps to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease in the future. Metabolic syndrome tends to increase with age, today tends to be younger. Early detection and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome helps to make lifestyle changes, thereby limiting the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

2.1 Etiology The cause of metabolic syndrome is related to insulin resistance, but why having insulin resistance causes metabolic syndrome is unknown. It can be caused by genes or environmental factors.

Insulin is secreted by the pancreas with the function of helping blood glucose to enter cells, when measured, cells can use glucose to provide energy for cell activities. If insulin resistance occurs, the cells cannot use the energy source, but the amount of glucose increases in the blood. Then, it was found that the elevated pancreatic glucose increased to meet the demand for glucose into the cells. Then there may be cases, if the body does not increase insulin secretion, the patient will show diabetes; If the body increases insulin secretion but still has insulin resistance, it causes high blood sugar but not to the diagnostic threshold.
When blood sugar levels rise, although not yet reaching the diagnostic threshold, it can still cause harm to the body, and lipid metabolism disorders may also occur. These factors affect the walls of blood vessels, causing blood pressure to rise.
2.2 Risk Factors Age: Risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age, prevalence <10% by age 20, increasing to 40% by age 60. However, warning signs Metabolic syndrome can be seen in adolescents. Race: Asians and some countries around the world have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome than other races. Overweight, obese: Determined when the body mass index (BMI) is measured based on height and large weight. When BMI > 23, abdominal obesity with an apple shape increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. History of diabetes: The risk is higher in people with a family history of type 2 diabetes or a personal history of gestational diabetes. Other medical conditions that increase the risk include: High blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects the reproductive system and female sex hormones, people with polycystic ovary syndrome are also at risk. have higher rates of diabetes.

The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome should be based on criteria including clinical and laboratory signs.
According to the World Health Organization, the definite diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is applied when the patient has 3 or more of the following factors:
Abdominal obesity: Men have a waist circumference ≥ 90cm, women have a waist circumference ≥ 80cm. Blood triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/l) HDL-C < 40 mg/dl (1.03 mmol/l) for men and < 50 mg/dl (1.28 mmol/l) for women. Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg Fasting blood sugar ≥ 100mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l).

When you have metabolic syndrome, you need to change your lifestyle and diet. This helps reduce the risk of disease.
Exercise regularly for about 30-60 minutes a day with moderate intensity such as walking, yoga... Weight loss: Aim to lose 5-10% of body weight, thereby helping to lower insulin levels , lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes. Healthy diet: Limit harmful saturated fats, increase vegetables, fruits, fish and nuts. Stop smoking because smoking increases insulin resistance. Early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is important in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These are dangerous diseases that can lead to death and affect the health of the patient. When you have one of the signs related to metabolic syndrome, you should go to medical facilities for an early diagnosis.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. examination and treatment at the Hospital.