In an unadjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis, the
presence of metabolic syndrome increased the risk for HF
more than threefold (table 3, model A). Figure 1 presents a
cumulative HF incidence plot for metabolic syndrome. After
adjustment for established risk factors for HF (hypertension,
diabetes, ECG left ventricular hypertrophy, smoking and
BMI), metabolic syndrome remained as a significant predictor
of HF (table 3, model B).