Metabolic syndrome: a literature review

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a clinical condition that includes a group of car-diometabolic abnormalities such as hypertension, central obesity, insulin resis-tance, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has increased in recent years in the world, representing a public health problem be-cause it directly increases between two and six times the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lifestyle changes can reverse the components of metabolic syndrome, but pharmacological intervention is sometimes necessary for tighter control of risk factors. This article aims to explain clearly and precisely the general aspects of metabolic syndrome in adults.