Doctors often look at weight to predict heart- attack risk, but identifying people with metabolic syndromes, a newly recognized combination of health problems, may be a better predictor. Metabolic syndrome is defined as having at least three of the following: high blood pressure, blood sugar or triglycerides: low levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and a fat midsection. In a four- year study of 780 women with suspected heart disease, those with metabolic syndrome, whether overweight or thin, were twice as likely to die or suffer a heart attack, stroke or congestive heart failure as those who didn’t have it. Surprisingly, normal- weight women with metabolic syndrome had a higher risk than obese or overweight patients without it.
If you suspect you have metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor. Exercise, weight loss and medication can help fight its damaging effects.
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