American Indians & Alaska Natives and Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all people in the US, and stroke is the third leading cause of death. Heart disease and stroke are also major causes of disability and significant contributors to rising health care costs in the US. The mortality rate for cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is greater than the combined rates for all other leading causes of death (cancer, unintentional injuries, pneumonia/influenza, diabetes, suicide, kidney disease, chronic lever disease and cirrhosis). (US DHHS, 2000). The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease are hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, high alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity. (Tamir and Cachola, 1994).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a wide variety of heart and blood vessel diseases and conditions, including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. CHD accounts for the largest proportion of heart disease. (US DHHS, 2000). Medical research continually contributes to a body of data that confirms that certain populations are disproportionately affected by diabetes and CVD. (US DHHS, 2003). [ Read more ]

How to access information in this section Click on each heading to view and/or print a Portable Document Format (PDF) file of that sub- section. Please note that each PDF includes this page and the references and resources for this section. Refer to the bulleted list below each heading to view the subheadings contained in that section of the Informatic Sheet. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please download a free copy. Please note these PDFs contain hyperlinks that are not clickable. To visit the links, please copy and paste the URL directly into your browser. Please use the Return to Health Topics Grid icon, located in the top right-hand corner of the page to access the other health topics. Download whole section [PDF, 83KB] Incidence and Mortality [PDF, 36KB] Mortality Rates from CVD Stroke Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices [PDF, 44KB] Religion, Philosophy, and Spirituality Specific Traditional Illness Traditional Healers Specific American Indian and Alaska Native Groups Risk Factors and Challenges [PDF, 43KB] Obesity Smoking Strengths and Protective Factors [PDF, 40KB] Leisure Activities Adaptability Community Strength Connection with the Past Family and Elders Holistic Thinking Identification with Culture Adherence Factors [PDF, 51KB] Communication: Verbal and Nonverbal Communicating with Elders Decision-making Diet Historical Distrust Interpretations of Disease and Disability Diet [PDF, 40KB] Service Interventions [PDF, 36KB] References and Resources [PDF, 34KB]

As recently as 40 years ago, the rates of CVD in American Indians and Alaska Natives were exceedingly low, due to a history of few cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. However, over the past several decades, the incidence and prevalence of these risk factors have risen significantly. The development of a diabetes epidemic and higher rates of other cardiovascular risk factors have resulted in a marked increase in the incidence and prevalence of CVD in American Indian and Alaska Native people. (Indian Health Service, 2001a).

Largely as a result of the Strong Heart Study, conducted in 13 American Indian tribes in three geographically diverse areas, the general assumption that American Indians have a lower risk of developing CVD compared with the general population has been proved wrong. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2001).

This section provides information on the incidence, health practices and beliefs, health challenges, and adherence factors related to CVD and stroke for American Indians and Alaska Natives.