What is Cardiometabolic Disease?
Cardiometabolic disease is a pattern of metabolic dysfunction related to insulin resistance, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes. Increased belly fat, also known as central obesity or visceral adiposity leads to insulin resistance, lipotoxicity and elevated blood sugar and is a major contributor to this increased risk. Alterations in cholesterol known as dyslipidemia lead to high LDL (good) cholesterol, low HDL (bad) cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides, a non-cholesterol blood fat. People with cardiometabolic disease are three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke and twice as likely to die from coronary artery disease.
Components of cardiometabolic disease include:
- Obesity
- High body fat
- Increased belly fat (apple shape body habitus)
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- High blood pressure
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Kidney disease
How Can You Lower Your Risk of Cardiometabolic Disease?
One of the most important things you can do to lower your cardiometabolic risk is to embrace a healthy lifestyle. For example, eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting good sleep, and reducing stress are all imperative for sustaining a healthful lifestyle. If you think you may have one or more of the components of cardiometabolic disease described above, talk with your doctor to decide on the best options for management.
Questions to ask Dr. Isaacs:
- Am I at risk for cardiometabolic disease?
- Which risk factors do I have?
- What can I do to lower my risk?
- What are my options for treatment, including diet plans and medications?
- How is Cardiometabolic Disease treated?
To lower risk for cardiovascular disease, it is crucial to correct any risk factors that can be improved. For example, having excellent control of diabetes is vital for curtailing risk. Certain diabetes medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide are preferred over others because researchers have found that in addition to treating diabetes, they can reduce the risk of dying from a major cardiovascular event. Lifestyle, diet plans, physical activity are the first steps for weight loss, although weight loss medications and even bariatric surgery can be added if results with lifestyle are insufficient. Aggressive dietary approaches can be helpful including fast weight loss programs. Cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) management is also an important part of cardiometabolic disease management. To learn more about diagnosis and management of cardiometabolic disease, call Atlanta Endocrine Associates
Weight loss is not about willpower. To lose weight and keep it off for good, you must address your body's biochemistry.
