The association between metabolic syndrome components and the development of atherosclerosis

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of pathological conditions associated with metabolic, pro-inflammatory, and prothrombotic states. MetS plays an essential role in the atherosclerotic process with associated clustering of risk factors which can increase the risk of atherogenic damage. There is an association between MetS components and the progression of atherosclerosis, which is the leading cause of cardiovascular deaths. This review was undertaken to assess the potential role of metabolic syndrome components, including oxidative stress, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation, physical inactivity, and atherogenic diet in the progression of atherosclerosis based on existing research.