A COMPARISON OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG INDO‐ASIAN AND CAUCASIAN PATIENTS ADMITTED WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA AND BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

Abstract

SUMMARYIndo‐Asians in the UK are at an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD); this may be a reflection of their cardiovascular risk factor profile as well as of a more sedentary lifestyle. We hypothesised that Indo‐Asians in Malaysia and the UK may exhibit a similar cardiovascular risk factor and physical activity profile, which would be more adverse compared with caucasians. We studied 70 consecutive Indo‐Asian patients admitted to hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (n=42; 35 males; mean age 60.6 years, SD 11.8); and Birmingham, England (n=28; 20 males; mean age 60.8 years, SD 12.9). Both groups of Indo‐Asian patients were compared with 20 caucasian patients (13 males; mean age 62.7 years, SD 9.4) admitted with myocardial infarction from Birmingham. There was a higher prevalence of diabetes among Indo‐Asians in both countries than among caucasians (p=0.0225). By contrast, caucasians had a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (p=0.0113), peripheral vascular disease (p=0.0008), regular alcohol consumption (p<0.0001) and family history of CAD (p=0.0041). There were no significant differences in mean age, body mass index or blood pressures. There was a significantly lower leisure activity score (p=0.001) and total physical activity score (p=0.003) among Indo‐Asians in both countries than among caucasians. This survey has demonstrated differences in cardiovascular risk factors among Indo‐Asian and caucasian patients. The high prevalence of diabetes, as well as the lower physical activity and sedentary lifestyles among Indo‐Asians, in both Malaysia and the UK, may in part contribute to the high incidence of CAD in this ethnic group.