Metabolic Syndrome Indicates Risk

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Metabolic syndrome may be one of the most important diagnoses that a doctor will ever give you but I am willing to bet that many of you may not even know what metabolic syndrome is.

Basically, metabolic syndrome is a condition where physicians take a look at things like elevations in blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking, blood sugar and other risk factors and determine if someone is at greater risk for heart disease and other problems. The reason why this is so important is because early detection and recognition can help people to make lifestyle changes and avoid problems years down the road.

Metabolic syndrome is a warning trouble could be ahead.