One in five Canadians have conditions that raise risk of heart disease

One in five Canadians has metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that puts a person at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, new research indicates.

The study, published on Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that while 20 per cent of Canadians on average have metabolic syndrome, 17 per cent of people 18 to 39 years old have it, a high rate that could have serious implications for the population's future health. It also found that people with lower income and education levels were more likely to have the group of conditions.

The findings come amid growing concern over the rising rates of Canadians who are overweight or obese. Evidence suggests that more than half of all Canadians are considered overweight and up to 25 per cent are obese.

"Public-health initiatives to improve dietary habits and physical activity are needed to address these health issues," wrote the study's authors, Natalie Riediger, a PhD candidate in the department of community health sciences at the University of Manitoba, and Ian Clara, who is also with the university.

Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a person has a combination of certain risk factors, such as excessive abdominal fat, abnormal cholesterol level and elevated blood pressure or insulin levels.

The more metabolic risk factors people have, the greater their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes or suffering a stroke, according to the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It says a person with metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes as someone without the condition.

The study's findings highlight the critical need for programs and strategies to address the problem, said Vincent Bowman, director of research at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. "We can imagine how serious an issue this can be over the long term," he said. "It is very concerning and I think it highlights the need for prevention and for Canadians to consider what lifestyle changes may improve their health."

The study was conducted using data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, which is conducted by Statistics Canada.