Aim To explore the change of distensibility,strain and stiffness of carotid in the patients with metabolic syndrome(MS). Methods The systolic and diastolic diameters of common carotid and carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) were measured with high-resolution ultrasonography in 33 healthy samples,76 nonMS samples and 83 MS samples,and arterial distensibility,arterial strain and arterial stiffness were calculated. Results The arterial distensibility and arterial strain were significantly decreased(p<0.01) whereas arterial stiffness and mean IMT of common carotid artery were significantly elevated in MS group(p<0.01) compared with control group and non-MS group.The arterial distensibility and arterial strain of right and left common carotid were negatively related to the number of MS components(p<0.01),but the arterial stiffness of right and left common carotid were positively related to the number of MS components (p<0.01). Conclusion Individuals with MS had decreased elasticity of artery, and accelerated arteriosclerosis.Ultrasonography of carotid artery was indicated to be an effective noninvasive method to detect cardiovascular disease in patients with MS.