CDC: Indians suffer highest rate of heart disease

Tuesday, February 20, 2007  

American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest prevalence of heart disease than any other racial or ethnic group, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week.

Based on data from all 50 states, 11.2 percent of Native Americans suffer from heart disease. That was nearly twice the rate among whites, or 6.9 percent.

Nationally, deaths from heart disease are down but not in Indian Country, said Dr. Gordon A. Ewy, a professor and chief of cardiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He tied the increase to a rise in diabetes and obesity among Native Americans.

Other risk factors include tobacco use, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and physical inactivity, according to the CDC.

Get the Story:
Indian population a factor in Az's high rate of heart disease (The Tucson Citizen 2/20)

Get the Study:
Prevalence of Heart Disease --- United States, 2005 (MMWR February 16, 2007)

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