The Insulin Resistance Syndrome (or metabolic syndrome X) is a constellation of metabolic disturbances, which enhance cardiovascular risk. The features of this syndrome are listed in the slide and include the characteristic deposition of fat around the abdominal organs called visceral or central adiposity. Characteristic changes in the lipoprotein profile, seen in both the IRS and diabetes, are a decrease in the good cholesterol HDLc, a rise in triglycerides and an increase in predominance of the dense LDL or phenotype B. An increase in blood pressure is seen in many, but not all, insulin resistant populations while increased fibrinogen, a clotting and inflammatory marker, and PAI-1, a fibrinolytic marker, are also seen.