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Cardiovascular Disease Among American Indians and Alaska Natives

Objective— To compare the regional differences in cardiovascular disease in AI/AN with the U.S. general population and determine the parity gap and preventable proportion of cardiovascular mortality. Research Design and Methods— Age-adjusted cardiovascular disease mortality rates for 1981–1983 and hospital discharge rates for 1982–1984 reported by the IHS were compared with U.S. data for 1982 and 1983, respectively. Results— Rates of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis were found to be generally low among AI/AN although those in the 25- to 44-yr age-group have higher death rates from cardiovascular disease than in the U.S. population. Although the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease in AI/AN is 19% lower than the rate for the general U.S. population, the parity gap in individual regions of the U.S. ranges from favorable to extremely unfavorable. There were also wide variations in the preventable gap theoretically possible by reduction of the three major risk factors. Conclusions— Changing nutrition and exercise patterns and the increasing prevalence of diabetes in many Indian tribes may have adverse effects in the future, possibly increasing the prevalence of heart disease. Regional differences in the prevalence of some major cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes) are the probable explanation for these differences in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates. Prevention and treatment of these risk factors will have the greatest impact in attempts to reduce cardiovascular disease among AI/AN. In addition, moderation in the use of alcohol, or abstinence, may prevent sudden deaths resulting from acute intoxication.