Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is characterized by abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, requiring at least three diagnostic criteria: waist circumference >102cm in men or >88cm in women, triglycerides ¿1.7mmol/L, low HDL, hypertension (¿130/85mmHg) and fasting blood glucose ¿1.1g/L. Factors contributing to its development include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetics, age, ethnicity, hormonal changes, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption. Its pathophysiology is complex, involving insulin resistance (IR) linked to excess visceral fat, which releases pro-inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids, exacerbating IR and inflammation. IR also disrupts lipid metabolism, causing dyslipidemia, and can impair endothelial function, promoting atherogenesis. This increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and kidney disease.