Cardiovascular disease in South Asians: A burgeoning epidemic

Abstract

Both native and expatriate South Asians have high levels of coronary artery disease. The most important factors contributing to this situation are the increased prevalences of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes in developing countries. traditional risk factors are less relevant in South Asians. Understanding the ethnic-specific factors important in risk of coronary artery disease and effective therapies in this population is essential to be able to resolve ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease. © 2008 Current Medicine Group LLC.