What are the risks and complications for metabolic syndrome?

There are a number of risk factors that are likely to increase the chance of developing the condition, these being:  

• Obesity – If you carry too much weight (around 20% more than your ideal body weight for your height) you will be considered as obese. Obesity often exists in those who eat too many calories in comparison to the amount of exercise done, creating caloric excess which is then stored as fat.  If this weight is concentrated particularly in your abdominal region, this is likely to increase your risk of developing a variety of health-related issues including metabolic syndrome. 
• Age – Your risk of developing the syndrome will increase with age as your metabolism will start to slow down as your body does.  
• Other diseases – If you have experienced other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, your risk of being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome is higher.  
• Diabetes – If you have type 2 diabetes, a family history of it, or if you have had gestational diabetes (which is diabetes during pregnancy), your risk is increased.  
• Insulin resistance(linked to diabetes) – This is when your body does not convert sugar from food into energy, but instead stores this as fat. When you are insulin resistant, your glucose levels start to rise, this can lead to obesity and other weight issues if you do not make dramatic lifestyle changes. 

There are a few complications that can arise from being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, these are often serious and chronic (long term). The following are some of the complications:  

• Heart attack 
• Stroke 
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries)
• Kidney disease
• Cardiovascular disease– High blood pressure and high cholesterol are responsible for the build-up of plaque in your arteries. When your arteries become hardened or narrowed because of this, you are at risk of a stroke or a heart attack (as mentioned above).  
• Peripheral artery disease
• Blood clotting
• Diabetes, if this develops the following may follow if the condition is not adequately managed: 
  • Kidney disease
  • Limb amputation
  • Retinopathy(eye damage)  
  • Neuropathy(nerve damage)