MCQ – 92300

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

A.	Low HDL
B.	Fasting glucose
C.	Blood pressure
D.	None of the above

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Correct Answer » D Explanation

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when three or more of the following five components are present:

1. Abdominal (central) obesity
   • Waist circumference:
     • Men: >102 cm (Asian men: >90 cm)
     • Women: >88 cm (Asian women: >80 cm)
2. Elevated triglycerides
   • ≥150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or on treatment
3. Low High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
   • Men: <40 mg/dL
   • Women: <50 mg/dL
4. Elevated blood pressure
   • ≥130/85 mmHg or on antihypertensive treatment
5. Elevated fasting plasma glucose
   • ≥100 mg/dL or treatment for diabetes

Since low HDL cholesterol, elevated fasting plasma glucose, and elevated blood pressure are all components of metabolic syndrome, none of the listed options is excluded.