Heart disease and its related risk factors in Asian Indians.
Although Asian Indians represent the second fastest growing Asian immigrant group in the United States, we know little about their increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). A key word search of Medline (using key words Asian Indian, South Asian Indian, coronary artery disease, and heart disease), from 1980-2001, was used to develop a database of articles relating to coronary artery disease for Asian Indians in the United States and abroad. We describe the prevalence and other data of CAD in Asian-Indian communities abroad and in the United States. We then outline certain risk factors for coronary artery disease, specifically diet, cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, which contribute to the increased risk of heart disease in Asian Indians. Finally, we describe an approach to screening and potential prevention of coronary artery disease in those of Asian-indian descent in this country.
Uppaluri
Chitra R
CR
Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Health Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63117, USA. cuppaluri@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology