Definition of Metabolic Syndrome: Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/American Heart Association Conference on Scientific Issues Related to Definition

Most individuals who develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) have multiple risk factors. Some risk factors that commonly cluster together (like dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia) have been termed the metabolic syndrome. Recently the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III report (ATP III) defined criteria used to identify patients with the metabolic syndrome. The selected criteria differ from those of other organisations and therefore, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, convened a conference to examine scientific issues related to definition of the metabolic syndrome.