title: The metabolic syndrome in women.
abstract: The metabolic syndrome, an increasingly prevalent disorder, is known to significantly enhance the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The syndrome is defined by a constellation of cardiac risk factors that include obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. There are several unique features of the metabolic syndrome in women. An insulin-resistant state associated with both polycystic ovarian syndrome and increased abdominal fat may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome and increase cardiovascular risk when present. Menopause heralds a decline in circulating estrogen levels, which may increase cardiovascular risk through effects on adiposity, lipid metabolism, and prothrombotic state. The key elements involved in managing the metabolic syndrome are dietary and lifestyle modification. Appropriate treatment may also include managing individual cardiac risk factors with the use of antihypertensive and lipid-modifying agents among others.
authors.affiliation: Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: J Gabriel
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tompkins
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Blumenthal
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mora
mesh_terms: D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D016387:Women's Health