ISHIB2006: The Metabolic Syndrome - What Is It? Why Is It Important?

***EMBARGOED UNTIL 23 JUNE 2006 - 8AM ET***

Newswise — Atlanta, Georgia. Overweight / obesity. High triglycerides (fat in the blood stream), low levels of high-density lipoprotein (the good cholesterol), and high LDL cholesterol. High blood pressure. High levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia). When three or more of these factors are clustered in one person, the condition is termed "metabolic syndrome." Research has shown that this combination places an individual at even greater risks for developing type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

It is estimated that more than 47 million Americans, or nearly 25%, have metabolic syndrome (MetS).(1) While debate still continues regarding the exact status of MetS as a unique diagnostic entity, cardiovascular disease experts are in strong agreement that this condition reflects a well-recognized clustering of risk factors for heart disease that all health providers should understand. Indeed, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 40 percent of the nearly 2.4 million Americans who die each year.(2) Studies have found that individuals with MetS are about two times more likely to have coronary heart disease than those without the syndrome.(3)

Ethnic Minority Populations Most At-RiskMetabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence rates vary by age, sex, and ethnic group. Mexican Americans have the highest prevalence of MetS (31.9%), followed by Whites (23.8%), African Americans (21.6%), and people reporting as "other" race or ethnicity (20.3%)1 For heart disease, nearly half (49%) Black men and 55% of Black women have some type of cardiovascular disease, compared to 34% and 32% for White men and women, respectively. 4 Among Mexican Americans, about 29 percent of men and women have cardiovascular disease.4

Conference Presents Science, Screening, and Management Approaches for Metabolic SyndromeDuring June 23-26, medical faculty from around the world will present a series of sessions that will provide the most current approaches to detecting and managing metabolic syndrome to reduce cardiovascular disease. ISHIB2006, an annual health conference, will address topics related to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, kidney disease and stroke and their relationships with metabolic syndrome.

According to James R. Gavin, III, MD, PhD, scientific co-chair for the conference and professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, "The conference will provide opportunities for participants to receive consultations and opinions from a collegial set of thought leaders in various fields related to the management of cardiovascular disease risks. We will also showcase information on new therapeutic options, new cardiovascular management strategies, and behavioral techniques for better patient compliance."

Held at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, ISHIB2006 features three plenary sessions, five symposia, 4 workshops, and more than 50 poster abstracts of new research on cardiovascular disease and related risk factors.

"With the rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome, we must support both individual and societal approaches including lifestyle mod and pharmacologic treatment to address this public health issue,," adds Shawna D. Nesbitt, MD, scientific co-chair of the conference and associate professor of medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "The wide range of programming for this year's conference includes new findings from the most recent clinical trials on metabolic syndrome, proven approaches for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention, and sessions emphasizing behavioral techniques to help patients modify behaviors that affect health," Dr. Nesbitt continued.

ISHIB Celebrates 20 Years of Work to Improve Heart Health This conference also marks ISHIB's 20th anniversary and will be commemorated with a special Founders' Reception and Banquet on Friday, June 23, 2006. Founding members Drs. Dallas Hall, Elijah Saunders, and Neil Shulman will be recognized for their efforts. In addition, ISHIB will name recipients of its annual awards for Distinguished Researcher, Community Service, and Young Health Professional.

For complete program information, topics, times, and news from the conference, please visit http://www.ishib.org/ISHIB2006.

ISHIB2006 is jointly sponsored by ISHIB and the American Society of Hypertension (ASH). ISHIB (The International Society on Hypertension in Blacks) is a nonprofit, professional medical membership organization devoted to improving the health and life expectancy of ethnic populations. ISHIB was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1986 to respond to the problem of high blood pressure among ethnic populations. Each year, its international interdisciplinary conference presents advancements in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and reducing the health disparities among ethnic minority populations. In addition to US conference locations, other sites for the conference have included Toronto, London, the US Virgin Island, Kenya, Cameroon, and Brazil.

1. Ford ES, Giles W, Dietz WH. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among US adults: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. JAMA.2002;287-356-359.2. National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics Report. Vol. 49, No.8. 2001.3. McNeill AM, Rosamond WD, Girman CJ, et al. Prevalence of coronary heart disease and carotid arterial thickening in patients with the metabolic syndrome (The ARIC Study). Am J Cardiol. 2004;94:1249-1254.4. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics " 2006 Update. Dallas, Texas: American Heart Association; 2006.