Metabolic syndrome
Clinical reviewer: Jacob Moore, MD · Last checked September 24, 2026
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. It is also called insulin resistance syndrome. A person may have metabolic syndrome with three or more of five conditions, including a large waistline, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.
What are the five conditions of metabolic syndrome?
A person may have metabolic syndrome with three or more of these five conditions [1]; the cutoffs are from NHLBI [2]:
| Condition | NHLBI cutoff |
|---|---|
| Large waistline | More than 40 inches (men), more than 35 inches (women) |
| Blood pressure | Consistently 130/85 mmHg or higher |
| Fasting blood sugar | 100-125 mg/dL (high blood sugar); 126+ may be diabetes; or on blood-sugar medicine |
| Triglycerides | Consistently more than 150 mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol | Below 40 mg/dL (men), below 50 mg/dL (women) |
A provider may use different waist values depending on race and ethnicity [2].
Why does metabolic syndrome matter for weight?
Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to overweight and obesity and to a lack of physical activity [3]. Losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight through diet and exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in adults with obesity or overweight [4]. Metabolic syndrome is largely preventable [1].
Frequently asked questions
Is metabolic syndrome the same as diabetes?+−
No. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, including high blood sugar, that raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, but it is not the same as a diabetes diagnosis.
Can metabolic syndrome be prevented?+−
NHLBI says metabolic syndrome is largely preventable, and it is closely linked to overweight, obesity, and a lack of physical activity.
Related terms
Sources
This entry is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
