EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE IN SOUTH ASIANS

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of death all over the world. South Asians have been found to have the highest mortality rates due t o coronary artery disease amongst all ethnic groups so far studied. Da ta suggests that not only are the South Asians prone to develop the ma nifestations of the disease at an earlier age compared to the other et hnic groups, they also seem to respond less well to the same treatment administered. Also, invasive investigations reveal that they have mor e extensive coronary artery narrowing than their Western counterparts, While the conventional risk factors of the disease, namely, high chol esterol, smoking and high blood pressure do not explain all the differ ences in mortality due to this disease, South Asians do tend to suffer more from diabetes, higher insulin levels, abdominal obesity, low hig h density lipoprotein levels, higher triglyceride levels, lower levels of physical exercise and higher lipoprotein (a) levels. While the exa ct cause of this increased rate of mortality due to coronary artery di sease has yet to be established, it appears that both genetic and envi ronmental factors play a role, For a start, greater public awareness, adoption of a healthier lifestyle and vigorous control of risk factors need to be advocated in an attempt to come to terms with this problem .