Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is defined as the group of cardiovascular risk factors constituted by central obesity, dyslipidemia characterized by elevated tryglicerides concentrations and low levels cholesterol transportated by high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), anomalies in the glucose metabolism and arterial hypertension, tightly associated to the insulin resistence. The MS is considered a predictor of cardiovascular morbility and mortality. There are different criteria to diagnose this syndrome, the most used one in population studies was proposed by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program- Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP-ATP III) and the clinical importance of the diagnostic is related with the potential impact on the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, in patients with and within diabetes, because it is an indicator of high cardiovascular risk. The MS is a result of the action of causal factors on a genetic base, where the surrounding and the life style were important in its expression, because in the prevention of MS is fundametally to obtain a healthy life style, based in adequeated alimentation, regular physical activity and to avoid the overweight. The treatment of the MS included the modification of life style that promote lost body weight and increase physical activity and on adequeated control of risk factors of cardiovascular disease as dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The objectives of the present review summarize the MS, phisiophatology, diagnostic and incidence in the cardiovascular diseases, the prevention and adequeated management. It is concluded that the best way to reduce the MS is based on the prevention, risk factor control of cardiovascular disease, changes of life style that promote an equilibrate diet and regular physical excercises and a suitable therapeutic management.