Low HDL levels as the most common metabolic syndrome risk factor in heart failure.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes some parameters which are associated with cardiovascular events and risk of developing heart failure (HF). The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and individual MetS parameters among heart failure patients.Stable HF patients who had an ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35% were included. They were evaluated for MetS and parameters according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).One hundred and nine patients (72 males, 37 females; mean age, 67 ± 12 years) were included. The most prevalent parameters were low HDL-C (69%) and hypertension (69%) in all participants. No significant change was observed in the prevalence of these parameters due to gender (P > 0.05). Hypertension, increased waist circumference, and hypertriglyceridemia were all significantly more common in women (P 0.05), whereas hypertriglyceridemia and high waist circumference were significantly decreased in the elderly (P 0.05). Hypo-HDL-emia and similarly hypertension were the 2 most common MetS parameters in HF patients. Hypo-HDL-emia and hypertension were the most common parameters observed in all participants and no significant difference was seen due to gender or age. Even though the prevalence of MetS and the mean number of parameters were significantly more common in females and young patients, EF did not change with changes in these parameters. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that the early diagnosis and treatment of MetS as well as the measurement of individual parameters, especially the most frequent ones, may prevent heart failure or improve its status.