Previously here at Guy Leech Fitness we’ve discussed the danger of the combination of health risk factors collectively known as “metabolic syndrome” but recent research from the American College of Cardiology suggests that the dangers posed may be even greater to the heart than previously thought.

A combination of any three of metabolic syndrome risk factors (obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance) increases the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. And about 25% of the adult population in countries such as the United States, Australia and Britain suffer from the metabolic syndrome.

The review of more than 70 recent studies that included nearly one million patients found that people with metabolic syndrome are up to 2.5 times more likely to die of heart-related causes and to have heart disease, a heart attack or stroke, compared to people without the syndrome.

These results clearly reinforce the need to combat the metabolic syndrome in order to reduce and perhaps even prevent heart disease.

As a society we need to be aware of just how pressing this problem is becoming (25% of the adult population) and individually we need to make the lifestyle changes (improving our diets and exercising regularly) that lower the incidence of the metabolic syndrome from occurring and each and every one of us has the ability to contribute to this for ourselves, our children and the wider community.

So come on Australia, let's turn our country from the fat to fit nation once more!

Reference: American College of Cardiology, news release, September 20^th 2010.