Metabolic syndrome was associated with the presence and quantity of coronary artery calcium, a marker of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, in 1,129 asymptomatic adults, ages 20 to 79 years, from a community-based study. The association was independent of 10-year risk of coronary heart disease based on the Framingham risk score. The association was independent of 10-year risk of coronary artery disease. heart disease based on the Framingham risk score.