The aim of this study is to investigate the viability of using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as a primary tool to screen metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to explore the risk factors of MetS in community populations. A total of 1914 subjects completed medical examination in Shanghai. BaPWV was significantly associated with the components of MetS. The area under curve (AUC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) in total group were 62.50% and 60.00%-65.30% with the appropriate cut-off point being 1435 cm/sec. The AUC (95%CI) of three subgroups (40-50 yrs, 50-60 yrs and over 60 yrs group) were 75.30% (67.48%-83.35%), 63.35% (58.96%-67.60%), 55.37% (51.19%-60.01%), respectively. A clear pattern surfaced in the process of investigation: the younger were the subjects group, the better receiver operating characteristic (ROC) efficacy would emerge; and the higher sensitivity was, the better negative predictive value (NPV) would be. Male gender, high baPWV values, elevated uric acid (UA) and excess hypersensitive C reaction protein (hs-CRP) levels were stayed in the two regression models as the independent risk factors for MetS. We conclude that baPWV may serve as a potential screening tool for MetS at the cut-off point of 1435 cm/sec.