Caduet and TLC Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria:

• BP ≥130/85
• Metabolic syndrome per NCEP-ATP III revised (3/5 criteria)
• Men and women age 40-65

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to sign a consent form.
• Unwillingness to complete the protocol for the duration of 15 months
• Unwillingness of primary care physician to participate in the program
• Patients already on hypercholesterolemia agent
• Fasting plasma glucose above 126 mg/dL or current treatment for diabetes.
• If the physician believes the patient should be started on antihypertensive regimen.
• Creatinine clearance <50ml/min.
• Therapy with anticoagulants
• Pregnant/lactating women (pre-menopausal women should be on birth control pill)
• AST/ALT > x3 upper limit of normal
• Evidence of cholelithiasis
• Use of oral anticoagulants
• Cancer
• Recent cardiovascular event (<6months)
• Substance abuse
• Since there is no translator, non-English speaking subjects will not be enrolled in the study.