Press Release

Help Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

Dr KK Aggarwal

Wednesday 24th June 2009 New Delhi : Metabolic syndrome occurs when being overweight or obese and when combined with other risk factors increases a person's chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.
These risk factors include abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and a poor ratio of good-to-bad cholesterol.
Suspect metabolic syndrome when any of the following two are present (Formula of eighty)
1. fasting sugar more than 80 mg%
2. abdominal girth more than 80 cm in women ( more than 85 in men)
3. lower blood pressure more than 80 mm Hg
4. Bad cholesterol more than 80 mg%
5. HDL ;less than 40 ( half of eighty)
Heart care Foundation of India suggests how you can help prevent metabolic syndrome:

• Keep your waistline at a healthy size. Less than 80 cm for women and 85 cm for men is ideal.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Talk to your doctor about the best weight for you.
• Stick to a low-calorie, low-cholesterol and low-fat eating plan.
• Get regular exercise. In general, 80 minutes worth, five-to-seven days per week, is recommended for most people. Atleast 20 minutes should be at a speed of 80 steps per minute.
• Visit your doctor regularly
• Frequently test your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

Dr KK Aggarwal is President, Heart Care Foundation of India and Director, IMA AKN Sinha Institute.