What is cardiometabolic syndrome?
Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a metabolic disorder that occurs when insulin and blood sugar are not properly regulated along with associated high cholesterol, high blood pressure and fat deposited in the abdominal area (visceral fat). In combination, these factors lead to an increase in the risk for cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Those who have CMS are three times more likely to have heart attacks and strokes and twice as likely to die from cardiovascular events as compared to those who do not have CMS. It is estimated that one-quarter of adults worldwide can be categorized as having CMS.
Signs and symptoms
Signs that an individual is at risk for CMS:
- High blood pressure (> 130/80)
- Elevated blood sugar (fasting blood sugar of 100 or higher)
- Increased waist circumference (apple shape vs. pear shape) (> 35 inches for women and > 40 inches for women)
- Abnormal cholesterol labs: elevated triglycerides (> 150 mg/dL) and low HDL (< 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women)
Risk factors
- Age: as we age, we are more likely to develop CMS.
- Ethnic background: The Hispanic population in the United States is at highest risk for CMS.
- Obesity: excess weight, particular in the belly, increases risk for CMS.
- Diabetes: both family history of type 2 diabetes and diabetes during a pregnancy increases risk for CMS.
- Disease: Sleep apnea, fatty liver disease (not caused from alcohol) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are a few disease states that also increase one's risk for CMS.
Prevention
- First and foremost, a healthy lifestyle helps reduce your risk for CMS.
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Addressing elevated blood pressure
- Healthy eating patterns that include an abundance of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains
- Monitoring and treating elevated blood sugars
- Routine exercise: at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 90 minutes of high- intensity exercise per week
- Limiting alcohol use to no more than 2 drinks/day for men and 1 drink/day for women
- Stress management
- Avoidance of tobacco
Treatment
If elevated blood sugars are not adequately controlled with lifestyle measures, medications may be needed to help. Some of these medications include metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors (Jardiance and Farxiga) and GLP-1 agonists (Trulicity, Byetta, Ozempic). These medications assist in lowering blood sugar and often lead to weight loss.
The Cardiometabolic Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute provides a multi-faceted approach to reducing risk for individuals who are at high risk for cardiovascular events or who have existing cardiovascular disease and want to reduce the risk of recurrent events. The clinic includes resources such as cardiologists, pharmacists, nurses, registered dietitian nutritionists and health coaches. With a holistic approach, individuals participating in the clinic are provided with tools that lead to a successful reduction of cardiovascular events.
Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team at the Cardiometabolic Clinic is here to offer you advanced cardiovascular care.
Appointments & Referrals
See how to be referred to the Cardiometabolic Clinic and what to expect as a new patient.