The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome does not necessarily correlate directly to a diagnosis of a specific disease. This diagnosis links several health risks with obesity and other syndrome criteria. It is not a prediction of short-term risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Those with this syndrome have a high lifetime risk for these diseases.
The American Heart Association reports that the individual's short-term risk (approximately 10 years) is in the low to moderate range. A metabolic syndrome diagnosis hopefully prompts patients to work with their physicians and other professionals to take steps to decrease their risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.