| What We Treat
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of findings that together substantially raise cardiovascular risk. Resistance training addresses several of them at once.
Overview
What It Is
Metabolic syndrome describes a cluster of findings — raised waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose and triglycerides, with low HDL cholesterol — that together raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes considerably more than any one alone. It is common, frequently undiagnosed, and highly responsive to exercise and weight change.
Several Findings Together
Waist, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides and HDL. Together they raise risk considerably more than any one alone.
Symptoms
How It Tends to Feel
These are the features that point towards this diagnosis rather than another:
Increased Waist Circumference
Central adiposity is the most visible component.
Raised Blood Pressure
Often asymptomatic and found incidentally.
Raised Fasting Glucose
Sitting in the pre-diabetic range in many cases.
Abnormal Lipids
Raised triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol.
Reduced Exercise Capacity
Breathlessness or fatigue on exertion that has crept up gradually.
Associated Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis and tendinopathy are both more common.
Causes & Risk Factors
What Drives It
The usual contributors, in rough order of how often they turn out to matter:
Physical Inactivity
The most directly modifiable factor, and the one exercise addresses head on.
Diet and Energy Balance
Particularly refined carbohydrate and total intake.
Insulin Resistance
The central mechanism linking the components.
Age and Genetics
Non-modifiable, but they raise the importance of the modifiable factors.
How We Can Help You
Treatment & Management
Treatment is built around what the assessment finds, but generally follows this shape:
When to Seek Help
Red Flags — Don’t Ignore These
Most presentations are straightforward. These features are the exceptions, and warrant prompt assessment:
⚠ Seek Medical Advice If You Notice
- Chest pain, unusual breathlessness or palpitations on exertion — seek medical assessment before continuing
- Dizziness or fainting during exercise
- Symptoms of very high blood glucose
- New leg swelling, particularly one-sided
If any of these apply, contact your GP or seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a physiotherapy appointment.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to lose weight first?
No. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and lipids even without weight loss. Waiting for weight loss before exercising has it the wrong way round.
Which matters more, cardio or weights?
Both, and resistance training is the one usually missed. It has a particular effect on insulin sensitivity that aerobic work does not fully replicate.
What if my knees hurt too much to exercise?
Then that is the first thing to treat. Joint pain is one of the commonest barriers, and it is usually addressable.
Not Sure If This Is What You Have?
An assessment will tell you what is actually going on and what to do about it. I see everyone myself, and you will leave with a plan rather than a leaflet.
Book Your Initial AssessmentThis page is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for individual medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs above, contact your GP or seek emergency medical care as appropriate.