There are five key metabolic abnormalities that cluster to indicate metabolic syndrome. These are: high blood pressure, poor blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance. When a person has any three of these problems, they are said to suffer from metabolic syndrome, and they are at high risk for disease.
Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. That means an increased risk of heart attack, an increased risk of stroke and other vascular complications. It is also very strongly associated with diabetes.