The metabolic syndrome and primary care

The metabolic syndrome has become a ‘hot topic’ and is of increasing importance to people working in primary care. The global epidemics of diabetes and obesity are driving another in cardiovascular disease – all components of the metabolic syndrome. Preventing and managing this syndrome will be ever more important in coming years. Primary health care professionals need to be aware of the risk factors and help to educate their patients to avoid onset or worsening of the individual conditions. Pharmacological treatment of several concurrent diseases raises further problems, emphasizing the need to consider all the components of the syndrome together.