The Metabolic Syndrome Is a Stronger Risk Factor for Early Carotid Atherosclerosis in Women Than in Men

Abstract
Background and Purpose— The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk for subsequent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease in women to a greater extent than in men, and thus the question arises whether there are sex differences in the association of early atherosclerosis and MetS.