Ever heard the term metabolic syndrome and wondered what it actually means? Simply put, it’s not just one condition but a group of risk factors that increase your chances of developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

You might have metabolic syndrome if you have at least three of these five conditions:

✔️ Excess belly fat (waist size over 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women)

✔️ High blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher)

✔️ High blood sugar (100 mg/dL or above – aka insulin resistance)

✔️ High triglycerides (150 mg/dL or higher)

✔️ Low HDL ("good") cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL for men, 50 mg/dL for women)

If this sounds familiar, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Metabolic syndrome can be a silent but serious condition, and the sooner you take action, the better.

How Do I Know If I Have Metabolic Syndrome?

The tricky part? You might not feel any symptoms—until serious health problems start showing up. That’s why regular doctor visits and blood tests are essential.

A healthcare provider will check:

🩸 Your blood pressure

🩸 Your blood sugar levels

🩸 Your cholesterol & triglycerides