Exposure to risk factors

The established risk factors which are commoner in South Asians include:

• low HDL cholesterol (1)
• increased triglycerides
• diabetes (which is much commoner in South Asians)
• lack of aerobic exercise

For high blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and obesity the findings are inconsistent with variation between studies.

Smoking

• this is less common amongst Indian men (but not Pakistani and Bangladeshi men)
• less common in all South Asian women

Reference:

• British Heart Foundation (2000), Factfile 4/2000.