Source: MSN
BERKLEY, CALIFORNIA, July 28, 2002: Asian-Indians are at a greater risk of contracting heart disease, more so than others of any descent with high cholesterol and even smokers. Researchers from the University of California-Berkley Center for Family and Community Health have concluded that, “Indians around the globe have the highest rate of heart disease, usually two to three times higher than Americans, Europeans, Chinese and Japanese.” Susan Ivey, one of the Berkley researchers, says, “Most physicians trained in the U.S. are not aware their Asian-Indian patients are at risk.” San Jose Mercury News reports, “About 25 per cent of heart attacks among men of Indian descent occur when they are younger than 40, unheard of in other populations.” The article also goes on to say that research done in the UK several years back suggested that there may be a genetic link. However, there is a general lack of awareness of the problem in the U.S. Indo-American Community.