metabolic syndrome

American  

noun

1. Pathology. a group of medical conditions present simultaneously in a patient, as high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol levels, and an excess of abdominal fat, that increases a person's risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

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metabolic syndrome British  

noun

1. a condition associated with obesity including symptoms such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and raised blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes

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Etymology

Origin of metabolic syndrome

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

The research followed 656 adults between the ages of 55 and 75 who were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome -- a set of risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

In other words, according to Attia, nearly all American adults should be screened and treated for metabolic syndrome.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2026

The volunteers in the new study did not have diabetes, but they did have metabolic syndrome, which raises the risk of developing the disease.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

By his final year on the job, his doctor told him he was dealing with prediabetes, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and obesity.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

Rates of metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure — increased from 26% of people, to nearly 38%.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2025