Study for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) I. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed feedback. Prepare confidently!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a component of metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is defined by a cluster of risk factors that together increase cardiovascular risk: abdominal (central) obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated fasting glucose, and high blood pressure. LDL cholesterol is not part of these diagnostic criteria. So even if LDL is high, that does not define metabolic syndrome. The lipid pattern that goes with the syndrome centers on elevated triglycerides and low HDL, not on LDL levels. The other components—abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and elevated fasting glucose—are indeed part of the syndrome's criteria, which is why the statement about high LDL cholesterol is not considered a component.

Metabolic syndrome is defined by a cluster of risk factors that together increase cardiovascular risk: abdominal (central) obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated fasting glucose, and high blood pressure. LDL cholesterol is not part of these diagnostic criteria. So even if LDL is high, that does not define metabolic syndrome. The lipid pattern that goes with the syndrome centers on elevated triglycerides and low HDL, not on LDL levels. The other components—abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and elevated fasting glucose—are indeed part of the syndrome's criteria, which is why the statement about high LDL cholesterol is not considered a component.