Sherrill Murphy, M.D., cardiologist associated with the Alegent Health Heart and Vascular Institute, Women's Heart Center Find out more about Dr. Murphy

Syndrome X is a "constellation" of symptoms that could put you at risk for cardiovascular disease. It includes abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance.  Twenty to thirty percent of individuals suffer from this condition and don't even know it.  And in this case, what you don't know can kill you.

Doctors have been aware of Syndrome X for years, but by other names. Medical literature refers to it as "metabolic syndrome," but it is also known as "soft living syndrome" or "insulin resistance syndrome."

Dr. Sherrill Murphy of the Alegent Health Heart and Vascular Institute, Women's Heart Center, says, "It's huge.  I see this in my practice every day.  These patients tend to be inactive, don't eat healthy diets, they become obse and as your weight increases, your risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesteral becomes even higher.

Abnormal cholesterol does not mean high total cholesterol, but a high level of triglycerides and low HDL (healthy cholesterol). Blood pressure must be greater than 130/85. Abdominal obesity refers to how a person carries extra weight; above the hips for women or a "beer gut" for men.

Finally, the person's body must produce high levels of insulin that it cannot use. This "insulin resistance" is the most dangerous factor. Sometimes it's referred to as the ticking-clock theory.

Initially, blood sugar levels appear normal. Eventually the body becomes overwhelmed and adult onset diabetes appears. Before you develop diabetes, you may have organ damage because of high insulin levels. You may already have cardiovascular disease.

Patient Ellie Stokes suffers from syndrome X, and it was something she had never even heard of.  Dr. Murphy says that the good news is we can treat this. Weight loss and exercise are the best ways to start. Lifestyle changes are the most important.

After working with Dr. Murphy, Ellie walks, eats healthier, and reminds her daughters how important health really is.