Cardiovascular diseases-a major health risk in Asian Indians

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates have been reported in several parts of the world and have been found to be unusually high in people originating from the Indian subcontinent. High coronary disease rates appear to be common to South Asian groups of different geographic origin, religion, and language. This presents a challenge for understanding the development of coronary heart disease. The high rates in Asian Indians are only partly explained with respect to elevated serum cholesterol, smoking, or hypertension. Low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high plasma triacylglycerols, and high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus have been consistently found in Asian Indians suggesting a state of insulin resistance. This review examines published data on the risk factors and prevalence of CVD in Indiana populations. Further studies are needed to determine if metabolic disturbances related to insulin can account for the high rates of CVD in Asian Indians and to identify possibilities for prevention.