Findings from a new study published in Circulation: Journal of
the American Heart Association suggest that women with metabolic
syndrome are at greater risk for peripheral artery disease
(PAD), a condition that can lead to heart disease and stroke.
While most studies on metabolic syndrome have focused on risk
for heart disease and stroke, this is among the first to look at
risk for developing PAD. PAD typically affects the arteries in
the pelvis and legs. It occurs when plaque builds up in the
arteries. Symptoms include cramping and pain or tiredness in the
hip muscles and legs when walking or climbing stairs.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 27,000 healthy middle-
aged women taking part in the Women's Health Study. They found
that 25 percent had metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a
cluster of risk factors linked to being overweight or obese. The
risk factors are a large waistline, high blood pressure, low HDL
("good") cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, and higher-than-
normal blood sugar. In