Estimating cardiovascular disease risk and the metabolic syndrome: a Framingham view

The metabolic syndrome as currently defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III includes multiple components. This article describes the background for these components' inclusion in the syndrome, measurement of these factors, and the appropriate interventions. The factors are highly interrelated and the true utility of this diagnostic entity is under critical evaluation as new and existing data are evaluated concerning the role of the syndrome in the development of vascular disease and other clinical outcomes.