The metabolic syndrome blood pressure is only one part of it
The metabolic (= affecting metabolism) syndrome is not a single disease. It refers to the coexistence of several conditions or risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The metabolic syndrome, sometimes called the disease of affluence, mainly consists of:
- overweight (obesity) with fat deposits especially around the belly
- high blood pressure
- elevated blood sugar levels (the sugar metabolism is disturbed because of reduced sensitivity to insulin or insulin resistance)
- abnormal blood fats (lipid metabolism)
These four symptoms are collectively called "the deadly quartet." The risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke doubles when the metabolic syndrome is present. The risk of developing diabetes is now five times higher than in people without the syndrome of affluence.
About 25 percent of the German population are currently affected and the number is rising. It most commonly affects people over 60, but the symptoms can already appear in children and adolescents.
The four main symptoms
Overweight is also called obesity. In the context of the metabolic syndrome, the fat stored in the abdominal area and between the organs is especially important. Experts call this visceral fat. It is very metabolically active and affects both fat and sugar metabolism. To quickly assess the risk, waist circumference is measured at the level of the waist. The cutoff is 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men.
Blood pressure values in the high-normal range or already treated high blood pressure (hypertension) are another feature of the metabolic syndrome. Because high blood pressure by itself already carries a high risk for cardiovascular disease, this risk is greatly increased when combined with other risk factors.
A reduced sensitivity to insulin or insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar levels. This reveals a harmful connection between the individual symptoms of the metabolic syndrome, because the metabolically active visceral fat (see overweight) directly affects insulin sensitivity: it reduces it. Therefore, elevated fasting blood sugar levels (from 110 mg/dl) or already existing diabetes mellitus are symptoms of the metabolic syndrome.
This is characterized by increased triglyceride levels from 150 mg/dl (over 1.7 mmol/l) and reduced levels of (the "good") HDL cholesterol. In women this value is then below 50 mg/dl (under 1.25 mmol/l) and in men below 40 mg/dl (under 1.05 mmol/l). Here too, there is a link with belly fat: it has a more unfavorable effect on fat metabolism than fat stored, for example, on the thighs.
In addition to these main features, there are several other symptoms that can play a role in the metabolic syndrome. These less well-known factors include, for example, increased uric acid levels, a tendency toward stronger blood clotting, and increased protein excretion in the urine.
Even though the metabolic syndrome involves several risk factors that occur together, the basic treatment is the same for all symptoms. The current lifestyle needs to be changed with the goal of reducing body weight or waist circumference. This is achieved by changing eating habits and increasing physical activity. These changes not only have a positive effect on size and weight, but also on blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar levels, and insulin sensitivity.
Sources
- https://www.springermedizin.de/emedpedia/dgim-innere-medizin/metabolisches-syndrom-praevention-und-therapie?epediaDoi=10.1007%2F978-3-642-54676-1_2
- http://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Metabolisches_Syndrom
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolisches_Syndrom
- http://www.netdoktor.de/krankheiten/metabolisches-syndrom/
- https://www.internisten-im-netz.de/de_was-ist-ein-metabolisches-syndrom_647.html
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based information and is continuously updated (as of 01/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
