Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term for conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It includes conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and high blood pressure–related heart disease. In the United States, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, and coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that raise the chance of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when they have three or more of the following: a large waistline, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
Because these conditions often happen together, metabolic syndrome can significantly increase long-term cardiovascular risk.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, overweight or obesity, unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels, physical inactivity, smoking, and family history. Age and genetics also play a role. For metabolic syndrome specifically, overweight and obesity are major contributors because they can worsen blood pressure, triglycerides, blood sugar, and HDL cholesterol.
In Black communities, the burden of cardiovascular risk factors is especially high. The American Heart Association notes that high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, and diabetes are common conditions that increase heart disease and stroke risk in Black adults. CDC data also show a high prevalence of hypertension and obesity among non-Hispanic Black adults in the United States.
Cardiovascular disease symptoms depend on the specific condition. Some people may have no symptoms until a serious event such as a heart attack or stroke occurs. When symptoms are present, they can include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, or swelling in the legs and feet, depending on the disease involved.
Metabolic syndrome itself often does not cause obvious symptoms. In many cases, it is found during a routine medical visit when blood pressure, waist size, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides are checked. When blood sugar is high, symptoms can include blurred vision, increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, and weakness.
A healthcare provider diagnoses metabolic syndrome using medical history, physical exam findings, and lab testing. Evaluation usually includes waist measurement, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol. NHLBI notes that metabolic syndrome may be present when waist size is above standard cutoffs, blood pressure is consistently 130/85 mm Hg or higher, fasting blood sugar is 100 mg/dL or higher, triglycerides are above 150 mg/dL, and HDL cholesterol is low.
Because metabolic syndrome raises cardiovascular risk, a clinician may also evaluate for complications affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Treatment focuses first on reducing overall cardiovascular risk. NHLBI states that heart-healthy lifestyle changes are the first line of treatment for metabolic syndrome. These changes include improving diet, increasing physical activity, losing excess weight, stopping smoking, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
A heart-healthy eating pattern can help improve multiple risk factors at the same time. Regular physical activity, weight reduction, and treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol levels are central parts of care. Some people may also need prescription medications, and in certain cases weight-loss surgery may be considered.
Many cases of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome can be prevented or delayed by managing the major risk factors early. That means staying active, choosing heart-healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in a healthy range. Regular checkups are important because metabolic syndrome may not cause symptoms before complications develop.
Schedule a medical visit if you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol, increased waist size, or a family history of heart disease or diabetes. Early testing can help identify metabolic syndrome before serious complications develop.
Seek emergency care right away for warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, such as chest pain or pressure, sudden shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, facial drooping, or trouble speaking.
