Metabolic syndrome: A risk factor for myocardia infarction and diabetes in young Britons

The metabolic syndrome is increasingly being recognised as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and diabetes in the young. However, there are limited published data on this phenomenon among the young British population. We conducted an observational study and showed the presence of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in a significant proportion of young people presenting with acute myocardial infarction. With obesity reaching epidemic proportions in the UK, our findings will be particularly relevant in the primary care setting. The identification and treatment of young Britons with the metabolic syndrome will be important in the prevention of long-term morbidity and mortality.