The role of anxiety in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) seems to be associated with both depression and increased cardiovascular risk. This article emphasizes the most relevant findings on the link between MS and psychological cardiovascular risk factors, focusing on the impact of anxiety. There is evidence for an association between psychological disorders and the development of MS, which could eventually increase cardiovascular risk. However, the coexistence of anxiety in MS patients seems to be a byproduct of anxiety-depression comorbidity, stress and negative health behaviors. Endocannabinoid receptors, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and sympathetic hyperactivation are the most commonly mentioned plausible underlying pathways.