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Metabolic Syndrome Independently Tied to Heart Failure

Posted: Friday, June 02, 2006

Findings from a new study suggest that metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for the development of heart failure, independent of known risk factors for the condition, such as interim MI.

The results imply that "metabolic syndrome provides important risk information beyond that of established risk factors for heart failure. This increased heart failure risk may be promoted by insulin resistance and accompanying hyperinsulinemia," lead author Dr. Erik Ingelsson, from Uppsala University in Sweden, and colleagues note.

The findings, are based on a study of 2314 men who were 50 years of age and free heart failure, MI, and valvular disease at baseline in the early 1970s. The subjects were then followed through age 70.

A modified version of the National Cholesterol Education Program's definition of metabolic syndrome was used, which replaced waist circumference with BMI, the report indicates. The primary outcome measure was first hospitalization for heart failure.

On regression analysis, adjusted for established heart failure risk factors, metabolic syndrome at baseline raised the risk of heart failure during follow-up by 66%. After accounting for MI during follow-up, the increased risk rose further to 80%.

"If our results are confirmed, the study indicates that metabolic syndrome may have direct myocardial effects in addition to its proatherosclerotic effects," the researchers conclude.

Source: Diabetes In Control: Heart June, 2006