People with metabolic syndrome — a group of conditions like high blood pressure, belly fat, and high blood sugar — are nearly three times more likely to have heart problems or strokes, even if they don’t have diabetes.

Having metabolic syndrome and having insulin resistance are two different things — and both of them, on their own, can tell doctors that someone is at higher risk for heart problems, even if you already know about the other.

Adult males with metabolic syndrome based on International Diabetes Federation guidelines have a 57% higher chance of silent heart disease compared to those without, according to the study. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

Adult males with metabolic syndrome based on National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines have a 73% higher chance of silent heart disease compared to those without, according to the study. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

If someone has high cholesterol from birth and also has metabolic syndrome, they’re nearly five times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or need a heart procedure within 10 years.

Even if someone doesn’t have full metabolic syndrome, having high insulin resistance (a sign their body doesn’t respond well to insulin) still raises their risk of heart attacks and strokes by about 50%.