Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes or medicines to help reduce your blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Recommendations include:

• Lose weight. The goal is to lose between 7% and 10% of your current weight. You will probably need to eat 500 - 1,000 fewer calories per day.
• Get 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, such as walking, 5 - 7 days per week.
• Lower your cholesterol using weight loss, exercise, and cholesterol lowering medicines, if needed.
• Lower your blood pressure using weight loss, exercise, and medicine, if needed.

Some people may need to take daily low-dose aspirin.

People who smoke should quit.

Expectations (prognosis):

People with metabolic syndrome have an increased long-term risk for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Complications:

• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetes
• Heart attack
• Kidney disease
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Stroke

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have signs or symptoms of this condition.