Metabolic Syndrome Risk Calculator
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when three or more of five clinical criteria are present: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. This calculator applies the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria, the most widely used diagnostic framework in clinical practice. Enter your lab values and measurements to see how many criteria you meet and whether metabolic syndrome criteria are met.
NCEP ATP III metabolic syndrome criteria
Diagnosis requires 3 or more of the following 5 criteria:
1. Waist: above 102 cm (men) or 88 cm (women)
2. Triglycerides: 150 mg/dL or above
3. HDL: below 40 mg/dL (men) or 50 mg/dL (women)
4. Blood Pressure: 130/85 mmHg or above
5. Fasting Glucose: 100 mg/dL or above
Drug treatment for any of the above conditions also counts as meeting that criterion. Source: Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults, JAMA 2001.
Metabolic syndrome risk calculator: frequently asked questions
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of five risk factors that, when present together, substantially increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The five components are: abdominal obesity (elevated waist circumference), high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. A diagnosis requires meeting three or more of the five criteria.
What are the NCEP ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome?
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria: (1) Waist circumference above 102 cm (40 in) in men or above 88 cm (35 in) in women; (2) Triglycerides 150 mg/dL or above; (3) HDL cholesterol below 40 mg/dL in men or below 50 mg/dL in women; (4) Blood pressure 130/85 mmHg or above; (5) Fasting glucose 100 mg/dL or above. Three or more criteria met indicates metabolic syndrome.
How common is metabolic syndrome?
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data analyzed by the NIH and CDC, approximately 34-35% of US adults have metabolic syndrome. Prevalence increases with age, from about 18% in those aged 20-29 to over 50% in those aged 60 and above. It is closely linked to physical inactivity, obesity, and a diet high in refined carbohydrates.
Can metabolic syndrome be reversed?
Yes. Metabolic syndrome can often be reversed or improved through lifestyle changes: achieving and maintaining a healthy weight (even 5-10% weight loss can significantly improve all five components), regular physical activity (150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per the CDC and AHA guidelines), a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol.
What is the cardiovascular risk associated with metabolic syndrome?
People with metabolic syndrome have approximately twice the risk of cardiovascular disease and five times the risk of type 2 diabetes compared to those without it. The risk is multiplicative: having more components of metabolic syndrome substantially increases overall risk. Metabolic syndrome is also associated with increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), sleep apnea, and certain cancers.
Official sources
- Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). JAMA. 2001;285(19):2486-2497. Available via PubMed 11368702.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Metabolic Syndrome.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.