|
Syndrome X (Metabolic Syndrome X) |
| What is the metabolic
syndrome? |
| The metabolic syndrome is characterized by a
group of metabolic risk factors in one person. They include: |
| + Central obesity (excessive fat tissue in and
around the abdomen) |
| + Atherogenic dyslipidemia (blood fat disorders —
mainly high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol — that foster plaque
buildups in artery walls) |
| + Raised blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher) |
| + Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (the
body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar) |
| + Prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or
plasminogen activator inhibitor [–1] in the blood) |
| + Proinflammatory state (e.g., elevated
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the blood) |
|
| The underlying causes of this syndrome are
overweight/obesity, physical inactivity and genetic factors. People with the
metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease, other
diseases related to plaque buildups in artery walls (e.g., stroke and
peripheral vascular disease) and type 2 diabetes. |
| Many scientists think that the metabolic
syndrome is genetically based. The underlying cause isn’t fully understood.
People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary artery
disease |
Who
has metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to
insulin
resistance. One group of such people are those with diabetes who
have a defect in insulin action and can’t maintain a proper level of glucose
in their blood. Another is people, mainly those with high blood pressure,
who are nondiabetic and insulin-resistant but who compensate by secreting
large amounts of insulin. This condition is known as
hyperinsulinemia. A third group is heart attack survivors who, unlike
hypertensives, have hyperinsulinemia without having abnormal glucose levels. |
American Heart Association recommendation:
More study is needed to understand the relationship between these risk
factors. In the meantime, these steps are particularly important for
patients and their doctors: |
| + Monitor blood glucose,
lipoproteins and blood pressure. |
| + Achieve ideal body weight
and increase physical activity -- both are time-tested methods of
improving insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and lipoprotein levels.
|
| + Treat diabetes and
hyperlipidemia according to established guidelines. |
| + Choose drug therapy for
hypertensive people with care -- different agents have different
effects on insulin sensitivity. |
|
| The term "Syndrome X"
also refers to a heart condition where chest pain and electrocardiographic
changes that suggest ischemic heart disease are present, but where there are
no angiographic findings of coronary disease. Some research has shown that
people with cardiac Syndrome X also have lipid abnormalities. This suggests
that the two syndromes may be the same. |
|
|
http://www.americanheart.org
|
|
http://www.aace.com/members/socio/syndromex.php |
|
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/ncep_slds/atpiii/download/part6.pdf |
|
http://www.fpnotebook.com/END10.htm
|
| Syndrome X
Association |
|
http://www.syndromexassoc.org/index.html
|
| Frequently
Asked Questions |
|
http://www.syndromexassoc.org/faq.html
|
| Laboratory
Diagnosis |
|
http://www.syndromexassoc.org/glucoseinsulin.html
|
| Treatment |
|
http://www.syndromexassoc.org/treatment.html
|
|
Books about Syndrorme X |
