Call for awareness on metabolic syndrome that increases heart disease risk

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) is calling for improving awareness on the common risk factors that can lead to metabolic syndrome, a cardiovascular disease believed to affect around 30% of Australian adults.¹

Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome can steam from a combination of any three associated risks, including a large waist circumference, high blood pressure, reduced levels of HDL ‘good’ cholesterol, high levels of blood triglycerides and high fasting blood sugar.

Cardiologist and VCCRI’s Executive Director Professor Jason Kovacic said that while metabolic syndrome is common, many Australians still aren’t aware of the condition or its associated risks.

“As a cardiologist, I’ve lost count of the number of patients I have seen and treated with cardiovascular issues like heart attack that have arisen as a direct result of metabolic syndrome — it is such a pervasive and growing issue in our society.”

Also known as syndrome X or insulin-resistance syndrome, it can cause heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Over 15,000 Australians died of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in 2022 — around 8% higher than in 2021 when 13,878 people lost their lives.²

“With more than half of Australians already having at least one of the risk factors³ for metabolic syndrome, people need to be made aware of the steps they can take to avoid it.

“Most of us have heard about how carrying extra weight, particularly around the abdomen, can affect our health, but people are still largely unaware of metabolic syndrome and how damaging it can be for our hearts and blood vessels,” Kovacic said. However, positive lifestyle changes can help to both prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.

_{1. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2006/185/8/revisiting-metabolic-syndrome}

_{2. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/provisional-mortality-statistics/jan-nov-2020 https://www.actuaries.digital/2023/03/06/almost-20000-excess-deaths-for-2022-in-australia/}

_{3. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/metabolic-syndrome}

Image caption: iStockphoto.com/sefa ozel