Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is recognized by a set of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) that usually coincide with insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. These risk factors include hyperglycemia (fasting glucose > 100 mg/dl), high blood pressure (SAD ≥ 130 mmHg and TAD ≥ 85 mmHg), triglyceride increase (≥150 mg/dl), decreased HDL levels <40 mg/dl, and central obesity (waist circumference ≥102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women). The purpose of this chapter is to review the natural history of metabolic syndrome and epidemiology and to review risk factors for the appearance of metabolic syndrome, pathophysiology, and biochemistry among the various cardiovascular risk factors and their importance within the metabolic syndrome.