Prevention

A1418JACC April 1, 2014

Volume 63, Issue 12

screening For cArdiovAsculAr risk in young soutH AsiAns: A community bAsed study

Poster ContributionsHall CSunday, March 30, 2014, 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Session Title: Prevention: Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Preventive InterventionsAbstract Category: 20. Prevention: ClinicalPresentation Number: 1219-140

Authors: Megha Prasad, Elena Flowers, Ashish Mathur, Cesar Molina, Mintu Turakhia, South Asian Heart Center, Mountain View, CA, USA

background: Metabolic syndrome is a multifaceted risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a community-based screening program for cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young South Asians by assessing the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome.

methods: Between June 2006 and October 2011, 3,314 patients of all ages were recruited as a part of a prospective cohort study investigating risk factors for CAD and T2D in South Asians. We analyzed a subset of 1537 patients between the ages of 18 and 40. A standardized, scripted questionnaire was administered to assess baseline demographic characteristics. Baseline characteristics including baseline laboratory markers and blood pressures were obtained at initial visit. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the NCEP ATP III criteria.

results: The total cohort of 1537 patients was 66.5% male, and the mean age was 35±5 years. Less than one percent reported known history of CAD. Among participants who denied a history of hypercholesterolemia, 62% had elevated LDL-C (>100 mg/dL), and 8% had markedly elevated LDL-C (>160 mg/dL). In participants who denied a history of hypertension, 17% had elevated blood pressure (>130/85 mm Hg). Of the participants who denied a history of diabetes, 1% had elevated blood sugar (>126 mg/dL). Overall, diabetes was present in 4%, hypertension was present in 12% and hyperlipidemia was present in 46%. Low HDL-C (50% of men, 52% of women) and elevated triglycerides (44% of men, 18% of women) were the most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was present in 14% of men and 8% of women. An additional one-third (30%) of men and one-fifth (19%) of women had at least two component risk factors.

conclusion: This is the largest study to date assessing the effectiveness of a community based screening program aiming to identify cardiovascular risk in young South Asians. We identify a high prevalence of undiagnosed, modifiable cardiac risk factors at a young age. Such community based interventions can be effective at detecting and managing risk factors early in this vulnerable population.