Metabolic syndrome is a group of abnormal test findings related to
the body's metabolism. These findings include excess body fat (particularly
abdominal obesity); elevated triglycerides, blood pressure, and fasting
glucose; and low HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to a specific metabolic
problem called insulin resistance, in which normal actions of insulin are
impaired.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the 'bad' cholesterol,
which carries mostly fat and only a small amount of protein from the liver to
other parts of the body. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is sometimes called
"good" cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol (a waxy, fatlike
substance) from building up in the arteries.
Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk for coronary artery
disease (CAD), even beyond that caused by high LDL cholesterol alone. Weight
loss and increased physical activity can reduce the risk for metabolic
syndrome.
