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Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal
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Volume 2: No. 2, April 2005

SPECIAL TOPICS
ORIGINAL RESEARCH: FEATURED ABSTRACT FROM THE 19TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Awareness of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in American Indians


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Carrie Oser, Lynda Blades, Carol Strasheim, Steven Helgerson, Dorothy Gohdes, Todd Harwell

Suggested citation for this article: Oser C, Blades L, Strasheim C, Helgerson S, Gohdes D, Harwell T. Awareness of cardiovascular disease risk in American Indians [abstract]. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2005 Apr [date cited]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/
apr/04_0142b.htm
.

PEER REVIEWED

Track: Methods and Surveillance

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of death in American Indians, little is known about how Indian communities perceive their risk.

In 2003, a telephone survey was conducted among adult American Indians living on or near Montana’s seven Indian reservations. Respondents were asked about awareness of heart disease risk; history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as heart attack, angina, or stroke; and risk factors for CVD.

The prevalence of CVD and risk factors among men and women aged 45 years and older (N = 516) was high: CVD (26% in men and 15% in women), diabetes (24% in men and 26% in women), high blood pressure (48% in men and 46% in women), high cholesterol (34% in men and 40% in women), smoking (28% in men and 33% in women), and obesity (37% in men and 46% in women). Men with a history of certain medical conditions were more likely to be aware of their risk for heart disease than men without these conditions: CVD (87% with vs 46% without), high blood pressure (70% with vs 44% without), high cholesterol (71% with vs 53% without), and obesity (67% with vs 52% without). The same was true of women: CVD (98% with vs 58% without), diabetes (74% with vs 60% without), high blood pressure (73% with vs 56% without), high cholesterol (72% with vs 60% without), and obesity (74% with vs 55% without). Neither men nor women associated smoking with their own risk for heart disease.

The prevalence of CVD risk factors was alarmingly high in this population. Awareness of risk for heart disease was associated with most modifiable CVD risk factors, except smoking.

Corresponding Author: Carrie S Oser, MPH, Cardiovascular Disease/Diabetes Epidemiologist, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, 1400 Broadway, Cogswell Building, PO Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-2951. Telephone: 406-444-4002. E-mail: coser@state.mt.us.

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