Native American/Alaska Native | General

Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death in American Indians and Alaska Natives and a major source of disability and hospitalization. The causes of the disease are related to diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, overweight, smoking, inactivity and high cholesterol. Indian tribes and the Indian Health Service have launched a major initiative the aggressive treatment of cardiovascular disease and for prevention activities to promote cardiovascular health and wellness.

Native American/Alaska Native Resources

• American Indians/Alaska Natives and Cardiovascular Diseases
  A one-page fact sheet with lots of statistics about Native Americans and Alaska Natives and various kinds of diseases like stroke, heart attacks, high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol.



• Indian Health Service – Cardiology Program
  The IHS Center of Excellence in Cardiology has information for clinicians, patients and the health care consumers. Look at the links under Patient Resources and Women Resources.



• "Mobilizing American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Workshop on Improving Cardiovascular Health"
  This is a 27-page PDF report from a 2001 project that developed educational materials and a video for "keeping a healthy heart" among Native Americans and Alaska Natives.



• Strong Heart Study
  This is the largest epidemiologic study of cardiovascular disease in Native Americans. The Web site gives lots of interesting research and statistical information found from the study. However, there is not any practical advice for health care consumers.

General Resources

• American Heart Association (AHA)
  One-stop shopping for news and information about all kinds of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, hypertension, heart attacks and much more. Good information on treatment options and how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.



• MedlinePlus® – Heart Disease (General)  
  High quality reviewed information from many sources on all aspects of heart diseases in general. Check out several of the interactive tutorials. Other relevant related topics in MedlinePlus are: Angina, Arrhythmia, Coronary Disease, Heart Attack, Heart Diseases – Prevention, Heart Failure, and Heart and Circulation. You will find links to these topics from the Heart Disease (General) page.



• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  Links from this Web page go to many good, up-to-date information sources, including fact sheets and even a video you can watch online. There is also a page of resource links for clinicians that you can get to from a link at the bottom of this page.