Metabolic syndrome may occur in as many as 25% of American adults or 50 million people. People with Metabolic Syndrome are four times more likely to die of a heart attack and 6 times more likely to develop diabetes. MCI is committed to identifying and treating metabolic syndrome before the development of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

1. Mercy Clinics endorses the ATP III definition of Metabolic Syndrome.  BMI has been substituted for waist circumference because it will be easier to measure in the clinic setting. 

   ATP III Clinical Identification of the Metabolic Syndrome (modified for BMI)

   The presence of three or more risk factors indicates Metabolic Syndrome

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   Risk Factor	Defining Level
   Abdominal Obesity*	BMI ≥ 30
   Triglycerides	≥ 150
   HDL Cholesterol	Men ≤ 40, Women ≤ 50
   Blood Pressure	≥ 130/85
   Fasting Glucose	≥ 110

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   *BMI substituted for waist circumference > 40 in. in men or > 35 in. in women

2. BMI (Body Mass Index) should be recorded yearly on all patients age six to sixty.
3. All patients with a BMI ≥ 30 should have a lipid profile, glucose, and blood pressure documented within the last 24 months.
4. Education should be given to all patients with Metabolic Syndrome.
5. Treatment options:
   • Lifestyle Modification
     • Diet
     • -Exercise
     • -Weight loss
     • -Smoking cessation (if applicable)
   •  Treat metabolic risk factors according to current treatment guidelines.
     • Hyperlipidemia
     • -Hypertension
     • -Diabetes