Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

Treating metabolic syndrome requires addressing several conditions. Here's what you can do starting today:

• Eat better. Adopt a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, skinless poultry, fish, nuts, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, lean meats and vegetable protein. Limit processed foods, saturated and trans fats, red meat, sodium and added sugars.
  
  
• Get active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Walking is the easiest place to start, but you may want to find something else you like to do that gets your heart rate up. If needed, break your exercise up into several short sessions throughout the day to reach your goal.
  
  
• Lose weight. Reduce your risk for heart disease by losing weight and keeping it off. Learn your recommended calorie intake, the amount of food calories you're consuming, and the energy calories you're burning off with different levels of physical activity. Balance healthy eating with a healthy level of exercise to reach your goals.

When lifestyle changes alone don’t control the conditions related to metabolic syndrome, your health care professional might prescribe medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol and other symptoms. Following your health care team’s instructions can help prevent many of the long-term effects of metabolic syndrome. Every step counts. Your hard work and attention to these areas will make a difference in your health! 

Download our Answers by Heart sheet: What is Metabolic Syndrome? (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)