Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that indicates a person at risk for heart disease and diabetes. In essence metabolic syndrome is obesity combined with any of the following: high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, and/or low levels of HDL in the blood.

Not all doctors agree on the definition or cause of metabolic syndrome. The cause might be insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that the body produces to help turn sugar from food into energy for your body. If you are insulin resistant, too much sugar builds up in your blood, setting the stage for disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors can diagnose metabolic syndrome after blood tests. Treatment for metabolic syndrome includes changing food choice habits and exercise.