Metabolic syndrome

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.