Which of the following is a clinical identifier of metabolic syndrome?

The identification of metabolic syndrome is based on a collection of criteria that include abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting glucose levels, and dyslipidemia. In this context, blood pressure measurements are particularly significant, as hypertension is one of the key components of metabolic syndrome.

A blood pressure of 134/88 for a male falls into the category of elevated blood pressure, which aligns with the criteria for metabolic syndrome. The American Heart Association considers blood pressure of 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic as stage 1 hypertension, indicating that this individual meets one of the crucial thresholds needed for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

While waist circumference is also a marker for metabolic syndrome, the specific values stated here are not in the typical range that signals metabolic syndrome for either gender. For males, a waist circumference of 40 inches or greater is generally indicative of increased risk for metabolic complications, while for females, a waist size of 35 inches or greater is concerning. Therefore, the correct focus for identifying metabolic syndrome in this case is on elevated blood pressure, confirming the relevance of option C as a clinical identifier.