More than 500 Indians are taking part in a national study aimed at reducing or preventing heart disease.

Participants from South Dakota, Arizona and Oklahoma, many with diabetes, are divided in two study groups. One group receives medications following national guidelines while the other half gets more aggressive therapy.

Preliminary results show that the aggressive combination of blood pressure and cholesterol medications has improved the health of participants. Cholesterol has been lowered and blood pressure numbers indicate some positive change.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Indians and Alaska Natives are more likely to die early from heart disease than any other racial or ethnic group.

Get the Story:
Indian heart health studied (The Rapid City Journal 10/8)

Related Stories:
CDC documents premature deaths from heart disease (02/23)