Cardiometabolic Syndrome

Understanding, Preventing & Treating the Syndrome of the Modern Heart

What is cardiometabolic disease?
Cardiometabolic disease (also often termed cardiometabolic syndrome) is not a single condition, but rather a cluster of inter-related metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors that together significantly raise the odds of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other serious complications. These risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels (dyslipidaemia), insulin resistance or elevated blood glucose, and central (abdominal) obesity. texasheartmedical.org+1
At THI @ BCM we view cardiometabolic disease as a systemic problem—metabolism, vascular health and lifestyle all intersect—and our approach reflects that.

Why it matters
The prevalence of cardiometabolic syndrome is rising steadily. Estimates suggest roughly one in three adults in the U.S. meet criteria for this condition. With obesity rates climbing, lifestyle patterns shifting and metabolic disease increasing globally, the burden of cardiometabolic risk is significant. Left unchecked, cardiometabolic disease directly contributes to cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke), the onset of diabetes, chronic kidney disease and fatty-liver disease. 
In short: managing cardiometabolic disease isn’t optional—it is central to any modern cardiovascular-care strategy.

Prevention: The First Line of Defense

At THI @ BCM our philosophy is simple: delay or avoid the downstream consequences. Prevention is actionable and often begins well before patients present with overt disease.

Key strategies include:

  • Healthy diet – Emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, fish, and avoidance of processed sugars and unhealthy fats.
  • Regular physical activity – Both aerobic and resistance exercise to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce central adiposity and improve lipid profiles.
  • Weight management – Even moderate weight loss (5-10 %) can deliver meaningful reductions in cardiometabolic risk.
  • Smoking cessation – A clear cardiovascular risk multiplier; quitting improves both metabolic and vascular health.
  • Limiting alcohol intake – While moderate consumption may have nuanced effects, excess use contributes to metabolic derangements.
  • Routine screening and monitoring – Regular check-ups including blood pressure, lipid panel, glucose/HbA1c and waist circumference help identify risk early.
  • Addressing sleep and stress – Sleep deprivation and chronic stress are emerging as metabolic disruptors and should be part of the preventive conversation.

Prevention is not one-size-fits-all. At The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, we deploy a personalized, multidisciplinary model, dietitians, exercise physiologists, endocrinologists and cardiologists working together, to craft sustainable lifestyle changes.

Treatment: A Coordinated, Advanced Approach

For patients who already manifest components of cardiometabolic disease (for example hypertension + dyslipidaemia + insulin resistance), our treatment model is comprehensive, aggressive and cutting-edge.

What our approach involves:

  • Integrated clinic model – At our Cardiometabolic Disease & Prevention Clinic, patients are seen by a multidisciplinary team, including cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology, nutrition and hepatology. 
  • Advanced diagnostics – We employ biomarker assessment, genetic and metabolic testing (through our partners at BCM’s Center for Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention) to refine risk stratification and guide therapy. 
  • Tailored medical therapy – It’s not just lifestyle. When appropriate, we deploy evidence-based pharmacotherapy to control blood pressure, lipids, glucose/insulin and address residual cardiovascular risk.
  • Clinical trial access and innovation – Our affiliation with BCM and THI’s research programs ensures that patients may be eligible for cutting-edge studies targeting novel therapies for metabolic and cardiovascular risk. 
  • Long-term monitoring and follow-up – Cardiometabolic disease is chronic. Our model emphasizes sustained care, periodic reassessment of risk, adjustment of therapy and lifestyle reinforcement.

Make an Appointment

Call today to schedule an appointment or fill out an online request form. If requested before 2 p.m. you will receive a response today.

(832) 355-4900

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m

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What Makes The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine Different?

  • We treat the whole person — metabolic risk + vascular risk + lifestyle.
  • Our multidisciplinary team is composed of top-tier cardiologists, endocrinologists and prevention specialists.
  • We leverage one of the strongest cardiovascular research engines in the country to bring tomorrow’s therapies today.
  • We emphasize prevention first, but when disease is present we deliver sophisticated care that bridges metabolism and cardiology.
  • We are located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, giving access to world-class resources and technology.