Metabolic syndrome, also called syndrome X, is a poorly
understood condition in which several cardiovascular disease
risk factors develop in a single person. These include: -
Abdominal obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the
abdomen.) - Unhealthy cholesterol profile (some elements of the
following: low HDL ("good") cholesterol, high LDL ("bad")
cholesterol, and high triglycerides) - High blood pressure -
Insulin resistance (either frank type 2 diabetes or pre-
diabetes) - Prothrombotic state (increased risk of blood clots)
- Proinflammatory state (elevated levels of c-reactive protein,
associated with increased rate of hardening of the arteries) All
of these risk factors are separately associated with an
increased rate of atherosclerosis, leading to intermittent
claudication, and related conditions. When they occur together,
the risk is even higher. Metabolic syndrome has become
increasingly common in the United States; according to the
American Heart Association, as many as 50 million Americans may
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