Here's just one more reason seniors should eat right and exercise: metabolic syndrome. It sounds bad when you read about it, and is even worse for anyone diagnosed with it.

Research says that about 50 million people in America are affected by it, mainly because we are a nation overrun with processed foods and big portions but lacking in daily exercise and healthful life habits. Metabolic syndrome is present in about 5 percent of people with normal body weight, 22 percent of those who are overweight, and 60 percent of those considered obese.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors present in one person. Some of the underlying issues that affect the risk for metabolic syndrome are:

• being overweight or obese;
  
• having insulin resistance;
  
• being physically inactive;
  
• certain genetic factors; and
  
• interrupted sleep (sleep apnea).

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition in which people have a higher risk of disease related to fatty buildup in the artery walls. Coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack, is an example. The syndrome also causes stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

If you have three or more of these commonly and widely used criteria, you may have metabolic syndrome:

• obesity (waist circumference of more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women);
  
• fasting blood triglycerides of 150 mg/dl or more, or taking medicine for triglycerides;
  
• low HDL cholesterol levels, or taking medicine for low HDL cholesterol;
• elevated blood pressure of 130/85 or higher, or taking medicine for high blood pressure; and
• fasting glucose (blood sugar) of 100 mg/dl or more, or taking medicine for high blood glucose.

All is not lost if you have metabolic syndrome. People can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by controlling risk factors. That means making smart nutrition choices and getting off the couch.

Regular exercise is a must for keeping risk factors at bay. Most experts recommend 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise per week. That is about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Examples of moderate exercise include walking briskly, bicycling, swimming, moderate to intense exercise classes, and tennis.

Patients diagnosed with the syndrome should monitor their weight, blood glucose, lipoproteins, and blood pressure. In addition, doctors and patients should combine forces to treat each risk factor and closely monitor anti-hypertensive drugs because different drugs have different effects on insulin sensitivity.

Talk to your doctor if you have heart disease or have had a stroke. Talk to your family about making changes now to avoid this syndrome down the road. Call 800-242-8721 or visit americanheart.org for more information.

You have heard it before and you will continue to hear it: Lifestyle is so important in the quality of health. Prevent metabolic syndrome in the same way you would treat it: Exercise, eat a healthful diet, lose weight, quit smoking, and see your doctor regularly.

Information for this article was found at americanheart.org.

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