Metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease – partners in crime?

This study investigated whether having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of heart-related death in patients with coronary artery disease. 

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of conditions including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels that occur together to increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease occurs when blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen become narrowed, reducing blood flow. This can cause a range of symptoms such as stable chest pain (angina) that occurs with activity or stress, or, acute coronary syndrome, which is any condition that occurs suddenly such as chest pressure during a heart attack, a sudden stopping of the heart (cardiac arrest), or chest pain when resting (unstable angina).

Treatment for coronary artery disease may include heart surgery to widen blood vessels and restore blood flow to the heart. 

This study investigated whether having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of death from coronary artery disease.

The study included 3,525 patients that were undergoing heart surgery for coronary artery disease. The average age of patients was 66 years and 72% were men. The patients were divided into two groups; those who has metabolic syndrome (30% of patients) and those that didn’t.

It was found that patients with metabolic syndrome were more likely to have advanced coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome, compared to patient who did not have metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome was associated with a 55% increased risk of death in patients with stable angina whereas it did not have a significant effect on mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome. 

The study concluded that metabolic syndrome is associated with increased mortality in patients with coronary artery disease, mainly seen in patients with stable angina. 

The investigators did not measure diet or weight changes over time. It is likely that adopting a healthier lifestyle may have reduced the risk of death from coronary artery disease.

If you or someone you know have metabolic syndrome, talk to a doctor or dietician about ways you can obtain a healthier lifestyle in order to reduce your risk of coronary artery disease and heart-related death.