Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of atherosclerotic risk factors including, according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII), hypertension, low HDL, impaired glycaemic control, hypertriglyceridemia and central obesity as assessed by waist circumference; the presence of MetS is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiac and cerebral ischemic events.