Recent studies show that metabolic syndrome – a cluster of conditions related to the body’s metabolism which occur at the same time to increase one’s risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes – may not only affect the elderly, as previously thought. A new study disclosed that young adults aged 18 to 25 years old also face the same risk.

The study’s results were presented by Dr. Rody Sy, Cardiovascular Institute director of Cardinal Santos Medical Center, during the launch of the Cardiac MRI. Dr. Sy explained that early detection, through the Cardiac MRI, may help thwart the life-threatening effects of metabolic syndrome.

One is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if he has three or more of the following traits: A waistline of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women; a blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher; a triglyceride level above 150 mg/dl; a fasting blood glucose (sugar) level greater than 100 mg/dl; or a high density lipoprotein level (HDL) less than 40 mg/dl (for men) or under 50 mg/dl (for women).

Although the risk of metabolic syndrome basically increases with age (specially among those aged 60-69 years old), the following people (starting from 18 years old) might also have the chance of developing the condition: People with diabetes who cannot maintain a proper level of glucose (glucose intolerance); those without diabetes but has high blood pressure and who also secrete large amounts of insulin (hyperinsulinemia) to maintain blood glucose levels; and heart attack survivors who have hyperinsulinemia without glucose intolerance.

The exact cause of metabolic syndrome is not known, but most researchers believe it is caused by a combination of genetic makeup and lifestyle choices – including the types of food people eat and the level of physical activity.

An alarming fact of metabolic syndrome is that it doesn’t manifest any symptom in the early part of the disease. However, considering the health hazards related to it, CSMC doctors stressed that people should consider for themselves whether or not they can be candidates for the disease – by taking into consideration the mentioned symptoms.

CSMC’s Cardiovascular Institute is offering high standard diagnostic facilities that may aid in the early detection of metabolic syndrome, such as non-invasive vascular imaging and the new Cardiac MRI – a facility that is currently offered only at CSMC.

Cardiac MRI has a lot of advantages. First, it has the potential of replacing at least four other cardiac tests: the echocardiogram, the MUGA scan, the thallium scan, and diagnostic cardiac catherization.

Cardiac MRI does not expose the patient to ionizing (potentially harmful) radiation, as most non-invasive cardiac imaging tests (the exception being the echocardiogram) do. Lastly, the images generated by the MRI are complete, detailed and precise – far more so than other cardiac imaging tests.

In addition, the Cardiac MRI examination also includes stress and rest perfusion examinations, myocardial viability study and ventricular function study. It can also be used to detect other abnormalities such as congenital heart disease, tumor, myocarditis, pericardial disease, and right ventricular diseases.

Aside from early detection, experts suggest that patients should take into consideration the following measures to prevent metabolic syndrome: Lose weight, exercise, consider dietary changes, and limit alcohol intake.