Heart Disease Conundrum

There is a significant and pressing need for cultural understandings within healthcare. This belief is revealed through this article.

Following the death of President Roosevelt to a stroke, in 1945, the National Heart Act was passed in 1948. The Act promoted research into the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. In doing so, funding was provided from the Framingham Heart Study. The study established the traditional risk factors including: (1) high blood pressure, (2) diabetes, (3) cigarette smoking for coronary heart disease.

However, despite this outlay of resources, the genetics of many minority groups and their propensity for coronary disease continues to be dismissed. Today, South Asians account for more than half world's cardiac patients. Once more South Asian immigrants to the United States develop earlier and and more malignant heart disease, resulting in increased death rates when compared to other ethnic groups.

As a result, it is not sufficient to look globally at a health issue when genetic disparities are so prevailing. To best combat this health issue and others, genetic awareness must be incorporated into studies.