⚖️ Metabolic Syndrome Calculator

Evaluate the five NCEP ATP III components to identify patients at increased cardiometabolic risk.

Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when three or more criteria are present. It strongly predicts type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Tailor interventions to address each abnormal component.

Sex

Waist Circumference

Threshold: ≥102 cm (40 in)

Triglycerides

On triglyceride-lowering therapy (counts toward criterion)

HDL Cholesterol

On HDL-raising therapy (counts toward criterion)

Threshold: <40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L)

Blood Pressure

Systolic

Diastolic

On antihypertensive medication (counts toward criterion)

Fasting Glucose

On antihyperglycemic therapy (counts toward criterion)

Threshold: ≥100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or diagnosed diabetes.

Diagnosis requires ≥3 abnormal criteria (NCEP ATP III, 2005 update).

How to Use This Calculator

Collect anthropometric and lab data

Measure waist circumference and blood pressure, and obtain fasting lipid/glucose labs or confirm medication use.

Enter values with appropriate units

Provide values in mg/dL or mmol/L (the calculator converts automatically) and indicate if the patient is on relevant treatments.

Evaluate and plan interventions

Review which criteria are abnormal, counsel on lifestyle, and treat specific risk factors (lipids, blood pressure, glucose) according to guidelines.

Formula

According to the NCEP ATP III definition (updated 2005), metabolic syndrome is present if ≥3 of the following are met:

Waist circumference ≥102 cm (40 in) in men or ≥88 cm (35 in) in women
Triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or drug treatment for elevated triglycerides
HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in men or <50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women, or treatment for low HDL
Blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg or drug treatment for hypertension
Fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or drug treatment for hyperglycemia/diabetes

Full Description

Metabolic syndrome captures the clustering of central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Individuals meeting the criteria have a markedly increased risk of type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular events.

Early identification enables comprehensive lifestyle intervention (weight loss, Mediterranean-style diet, physical activity) and aggressive management of each component: statins for dyslipidemia, ACE inhibitors or ARBs for hypertension, metformin or GLP-1 agonists for impaired glucose, and behavioural strategies for obesity.

Additional assessments such as hs-CRP, liver enzymes, sleep apnea screening, and cardiovascular imaging may further characterise risk. Engage multidisciplinary teams, including dietitians and exercise physiologists, to reverse the syndrome where possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BMI factor into the criteria?

BMI is not part of the formal definition, but abdominal obesity measured by waist circumference is a required consideration and often correlates with BMI.

Can someone with normal weight have metabolic syndrome?

Yes—particularly individuals with normal BMI but visceral fat accumulation (so-called “TOFI”). Waist measurement and metabolic labs are essential even in lean patients.

Which ethnic-specific waist cutoffs should I use?

Some organisations suggest lower waist thresholds for South Asian, Chinese, and Japanese populations. Adjust cutoffs per local guidelines (e.g., ≥90 cm for Asian men, ≥80 cm for Asian women).

What medications count as treatment for criteria?

Lipid-lowering drugs (fibrates, omega-3s), niacin for HDL, antihypertensives, and glucose-lowering therapies count toward their respective criteria even if lab values are controlled.

How often should I reassess?

Re-evaluate waist, blood pressure, and labs at least annually—or more frequently when implementing lifestyle or pharmacologic interventions to gauge improvement.