Non-traditional risk factors impact African American patients with coronary artery disease
A retrospective analysis of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in young African American patients is being presented today at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2021 Virtual Scientific Sessions. The findings reveal this specific patient segment, African-Americans under age 45, experiences greater CAD risk factors related to smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV as well as mental health conditions including anxiety and depression.
CAD is the most common type of heart disease, with high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes among traditional risk factors. African Americans are disproportionally impacted by heart disease, and are more likely to develop the chronic, progressive condition earlier in life. Despite this, the prevalence of and risk factors for CAD in a younger, African American patient population is understudied.