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Hypertension and other cardiac risk factors among Asian Indians
1Hypertension Clinics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, is rapidly increasing in Asian Indians. This trend is observed in both India and expatriate populations, with earlier onset compared to Westerners.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease patterns in Asian Indians are undergoing rapid changes.
- Clinical observations and mortality data suggest escalating incidence of hypertension and coronary artery disease over the past three decades.
- A high rate of cardiovascular disease is noted in expatriate Indian populations globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the changing epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in Asian Indians.
- To underscore the increasing incidence of hypertension and coronary artery disease.
- To discuss potential contributing factors and the premature onset of cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of clinical observations and mortality data.
- Review of existing studies on expatriate Indian populations.
- Identification of trends in hypertension and coronary artery disease incidence.
Main Results:
- A steady increase in hypertension incidence, particularly in urban Indian populations.
- An alarming rise in deaths due to premature coronary artery disease.
- Indians experience their first coronary event at a younger age than Western populations.
Conclusions:
- Hypertension and altered lipoprotein metabolism are potential contributors to cardiovascular disease in Indians.
- Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm these trends and elucidate causes.
- The rising burden of cardiovascular disease in this demographic requires urgent attention.
Abstract:
The pattern of cardiovascular disease among (Asian) Indians appears to be changing rapidly. Although we do not have large epidemiological studies, clinical observations and mortality data indicate that, in the last three decades, there has been an escalating incidence of hypertension and coronary artery disease in Indians. Clearly, the incidence of hypertension among the urban population is steadily increasing. Whether this is due to heightened awareness and expanding accessibility to health care providers is not known. An alarming number of deaths due to premature coronary disease is being reported. Compared to their Western counterparts, Indians experience the first coronary event at an earlier age. Studies performed in the UK, US, Trinidad, and South Africa have confirmed a high rate of cardiovascular disease among expatriate Indians. Although the precise cause is not known, hypertension and altered lipoprotein metabolism may be playing a participatory role in the genesis of cardiovascular disease.