Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome can cause plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) and blood clots in your blood vessels. This can slow down or block blood flow to your organs. Also, high blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels. Having damaged or blocked blood vessels raises your risk of the following heart and blood vessel diseases and other serious conditions:

Coronary heart disease

Erectile dysfunction

Heart failure

Long-term inflammation and problems with your immune system, which can raise your risk of having serious complications from infections such as COVID-19

Organ damage, especially damage to your pancreas, liver, gall bladder, and kidneys

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, and gestational diabetes

Problems with thinking and memory

Sleep apnea

Certain cancers

Stroke

Type 2 diabetes

The good news is that it is largely preventable. Knowing the risk factors and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you lower your chances of developing metabolic syndrome or the health problems it can cause.