Metabolic syndrome is a serious issue.  The professionals at the Women's Heart Center can go through each symptom and risk factor to help you make some changes that can save your life.  Having metabolic syndrome means you have three or more disorders related to your metabolism at the same time, including:

• Obesity, particularly around your waist (having an "apple shape")
• A systolic (top number) blood pressure measurement higher than 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or a diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure measurement higher than 80 mm Hg
• An elevated level of the blood fat called triglycerides and a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol - the "good" cholesterol
• Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body

Having one component of metabolic syndrome means you're more likely to have others. And the more components you have, the greater are the risks to your health.

If you know you have at least one component of metabolic syndrome - such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or an apple-shaped body - you may have the others and not know it. Call the Women's Heart Center today at 847-931-5514 or e-mail the Women's Heart Center nurse at kathleen.bergner@provena.org

The Women's Heart Center can test you for other components of the syndrome and discuss what you can do to avoid serious diseases.  Call us today!