Research in preventing heart disease in past years has centered primarily on smoking, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol levels. In a recent report from NIH (National Cholesterol Education Program report on heart health, called the ATP3 report) researchers identify a "new" risk factor called the "metabolic syndrome". This syndrome, or set of abnormalities, is becoming much more prevalent in the U.S. It increases the risk of a heart attack at a rate similar to smoking, which we know is a major cause of heart disease.
The metabolic syndrome is linked to insulin resistance and high abdominal obesity and results in a series of abnormal or unhealthy changes in the metabolism, increasing the risk of heart disease.
One in Four Adults
How common is this condition? Its prevalence in the U.S. was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Scientists analyzed the health data of 8,814 men and women who were randomly selected from throughout the U.S. and found that more than 23 percent of the adult population exhibit the metabolic syndrome putting them at significantly increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. This is about one out of every four adults.
The criterion for this new risk is outlined in the recent NCEP report. If you have three or more of the following conditions, you exhibit the metabolic syndrome:
- Abdominal obesity - a waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men (measure at the level of your navel, stomach relaxed, not held in).
- High blood fats - fasting triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or higher
- Low HDL levels - HDL cholesterol less than 40 for men or less than 50 for women.
- Moderately elevated blood pressure - 130/85 or higher.
- Moderately high blood sugar levels - fasting glucose of 110 or higher.
These are all common tests. Your doctor can check these factors for you if you don't know what your test values are. Knowing them can help you take preventive action to reduce your risk.
What Can You Do?
The primary treatment for this condition is referred to in the ATP 3 report as "therapeutic lifestyle change," primarily:
- Weight loss
- Increased physical activity, 30+ minutes of moderate activity daily
- Improved eating habits, particularly eating less high glycemic index foods (primarily refined carbohydrates and sweets)
- Eat more high fiber foods:
- fruits, vegetables, and legumes
- whole grain breads and cereals
- healthy fats
- healthy protein foods
Research is finding that these healthy lifestyle practices can be just as important as not smoking or treating high cholesterol levels for preventing heart disease. |
