title: Heart disease and its related risk factors in Asian Indians.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Health Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63117, USA. cuppaluri@aol.com
authors.forename: Chitra R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Uppaluri
mesh_terms: 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