The metabolic syndrome and cerebrovascular disease: suspicion and evidence.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is the combination of factors which, when occurring in an individual, can result in an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and of episodes of vascular disease. We present a systematic review of the diagnostic criteria, pathology, prevalence and risk of vascular disease (including stroke) associated with the MS and, if the patients have already suffered cerebral ischemia and have the MS and/or DM, the appropriate therapies from which they could benefit. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.