Coronary artery disease in Asians |
| |
Authors: | J. Rajadurai J. Arokiasamy K. Pasamanickam A. Shatar O. Mei Lin |
| |
Affiliation: | Lecturer, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;Associate Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;Associate Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;Lecturer, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;Lecturer, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| |
Abstract: | From available studies, there appears to be a racial preponderance of coronary artery disease (CAD) among Indians when compared to other ethnic groups. We found that this racial difference exists even in a young Asian population with premature atherosclerosis. In this small series, these racial differences could not be explained by the commonly known risk factors for coronary artery disease – smoking, hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia, findings similar to those found in older patients elsewhere. Only fasting triglyceride levels were significantly higher among young Indians compared to non Indians ( p <0.02) although the importance of this finding as a risk factor for CAD remains controversial. The majority of these young patients were treated medically and their one year survival was good. |
| |
Keywords: | Coronary artery disease ethnic differences premature atherosclerosis. |
|
|