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A study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that a significant proportion of American Indian young adults and teens are at risk for cardiovascular disease due to abnormal cholesterol levels.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study analyzed data from the Strong Heart Family Study, part of the largest study on cardiovascular health outcomes among American Indian adults. Over a 19-year period, researchers followed more than 1,400 participants aged 15-39, revealing troubling statistics regarding cholesterol levels and associated cardiovascular risks.
Lead researcher Jessica A. Reese, Ph.D., from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, expressed surprise at the findings, particularly regarding the high prevalence of abnormal cholesterol levels among adolescents. “These findings underscore the importance of early screenings and interventions, especially for teens and young adults at higher risk for underlying cardiovascular conditions,” Reese emphasized.
The study found that over 70% of young adults aged 20-39 and 50% of teenagers had abnormal cholesterol levels, including elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad cholesterol.” High LDL cholesterol levels were associated with plaque buildup and cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Among the participants, approximately 40% had high LDL levels, with nearly 3% having very high levels. Alarmingly, less than 2% of those with very high LDL cholesterol were receiving cholesterol-lowering medication at the beginning of the study.
Mona Puggal, M.P.H., from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), stressed the importance of increased screenings and culturally relevant education to improve heart health among younger generations of Native Americans.
Heart disease is twice as prevalent in American Indian adults compared to the general U.S. population, with abnormal cholesterol levels among American Indian teens and young adults twice as high as those in the general population.
Routine check-ins and screenings were highlighted as crucial, with all participants in the study receiving notifications about their lab results and imaging findings, encouraging them to consult their healthcare providers.
Carotid artery ultrasounds revealed signs of plaque or early plaque development in 5% of participants, with LDL cholesterol and other lipid abnormalities linked to these outcomes.
Approximately 9% of participants experienced cardiovascular events by the end of the study, with those having diabetes and multiple cardiovascular risk factors being at higher risk.
Dr. Ying Zhang, Director at the Center for American Indian Health Research, emphasized the importance of annual health check-ups and coordinated care as individuals transition from pediatricians to adult healthcare providers.
The study underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address cardiovascular risk factors among American Indian teens and young adults, aiming to mitigate the burden of cardiovascular disease in this population.
