Heart Disease Health Center

Metabolic Syndrome

Adopting an Exercise Plan

A sustainable exercise program --  for example, 30 minutes a day 5 days a week -- is reasonable as a starting point, providing there is no medical reason you can't. If you have any special concerns in this regard, check with your doctor first. Exercise has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and insulin sensitivity, regardless of whether you lose weight. In itself, exercise is helpful in treating metabolic syndrome.

Cosmetic Surgery to Remove Fat

So, if a large waistline is the problem, why not just have liposuction to remove the fat? It's not so simple. Studies show no benefit in liposuction on insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, or cholesterol. As the saying goes, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." Diet and exercise are still the preferred first-line treatment of metabolic syndrome.

What if Lifestyle Changes Are Not Enough to Treat Metabolic Syndrome?

What if changes in diet and activity levels do not do the trick? Drugs to control cholesterol and high blood pressure may be considered.

If someone has already had a heart attack, their LDL ("bad") cholesterol should be reduced below 70mg/dl.  

Blood pressure goals are generally set lower than 130/80. Some blood pressure medications -- ACE inhibitors -- have also been found to reduce levels of insulin resistance and to defer the complications of type 2 diabetes. This is an important consideration when discussing the choice of blood pressure drugs in the metabolic syndrome.

Metformin (Glucophage), usually used to treat type 2 diabetes, also has been found to help prevent the onset of diabetes in people with metabolic syndrome. However, there are currently no established guidelines on treating metabolic syndrome patients with metformin if they do not have a diabetes diagnosis.