Syndrome X - Quick Studies - cluster of abnormalities linked to the risk of heart disease - Brief Article

One out of five Americans have the "metabolic syndrome," says a new national survey. Among people in their 60s or 70s, it's two out of five.

Also known as Syndrome X, the metabolic syndrome is a cluster of abnormalities that raise the risk of heart disease. You've got it if you have at least three of the following:

* blood pressure of at least 130 (systolic) or at least 85 (diastolic),

* fasting blood sugar of at least 110,

* triglycerides of at least 150,

* HDL ("good") cholesterol of less than 40 (men) or less than 50 (women), and

* a waist measurement of at least 35 inches (women) or at least 40 inches (men).

What to do: Exercise (even if you don't lose weight) and weight loss (even if you don't lose much) can reverse the metabolic syndrome. Replacing carbohydrates (like sweets, bread, and pasta) with small quantities of unsaturated fats (from nuts, oils, and salad dressing) may also help. If you have even one of the metabolic syndrome's five risk factors, put down the soda pop and get off your duff. The older you get, the closer you'll be to having at least three.

J. Amer. Med. Assoc. 287: 356, 2000

COPYRIGHT 2002 Center for Science in the Public Interest
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group