Through a new diagnostic tool of their own design, researchers have found that teen heart problems can be detected early by using an evaluation of metabolic syndrome.
- Researchers gathered data from three different studies
- They tested the participants at average ages of 12.9, 38.4, and then 49.6 years old, looking for risk factors
- They found a strong correlation between metabolic syndrome and heart disease
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of death in the United States, with 610,000 people perishing each year due to heart complications. That amounts to a disturbing 1 in 4 deaths linked to heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For issues that are generally preventable, its numbers are worryingly high.
The only factor that is considered unchangeable is the genetic predisposition to developing a cardiovascular condition. However, the rest are entirely preventable through a healthy lifestyle.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital have gathered all the other factors and created one test that would take them all into consideration. They include blood pressure, blood sugar, excessive fat around the waist, and cholesterol levels. If all those factors are high or at abnormal levels, it may indicate to a high risk of developing heart problems.
It may be heightened by others, such as physical inactivity, diabetes, unhealthy diets and smoking, all of which will increase the chances of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Mark DeBoer and Matthew Gurka gathered data from three separate studies, including information on patients taken at different ages throughout their life. On average, the participants were tested at 12.9, 38.4, and then at 49.6 years old. They examined their BMI, systolic blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and fasting glucose, in order to determine their risk factor.
According to DeBoer, the new metabolic syndrome diagnostic tool takes into consideration specific variables that differ among gender and race. For example he has offered what previous studies have shown, where African-Americans are not “diagnosed with metabolic syndrome at a very high rate”, and yet, they present themselves with high risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that there was a strong correlation between metabolic syndrome and the possibility of developing heart problems. This has led to the design of a new diagnostic tool that would take into account all factors in order to accurately predict future problems.
Their study has led to the results that metabolic severity scores from an early age can indicate heart conditions in the future. This will help with an early on prevention, by prompting a change in lifestyle and any other measures that might help improve their life.
Image source: lakeviewhospital.com
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.