NCEP-ATP III guidelines have emphasized that the metabolic syndrome is a secondary target of therapy beyond elevated LDL cholesterol.
NCEP-ATP III guidelines have also singled out excess abdominal adipose tissue as a key feature of the metabolic syndrome.
Other elements of the metabolic syndrome include atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic profile, and high blood pressure.
To date, numerous prospective studies have shown that the metabolic syndrome predicts CVD risk, with very few exceptions.
Overall CVD risk related to the metabolic syndrome has been evaluated in meta-analyses, which have concluded that the metabolic syndrome increases relative risk of CVD.
The metabolic syndrome is a stronger predictor of type 2 diabetes than CVD risk.
Evaluation of the association between the first observation and the longitudinal change in C-reactive protein, and all-cause mortality. Heart 2008;94:457-62