American Indian, Alaska Native Adults Suffer Higher Rates of Premature Heart Attack Deaths

American Indian and Alaska Native adults face significantly higher rates of heart attack death at younger ages compared with adults in other racial groups, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023.

To discuss this alarming health disparity, DocWire News spoke with study lead author Karthik Gonuguntla, MD, a cardiology fellow at West Virginia University. Dr. Gonuguntla detailed the analysis he spearheaded, which also found gender disparities, with American Indian/Alaska Native women having a significantly higher rates of heart attack death at younger ages compared with women of other races. “Women and people from Indigenous racial and ethnic groups face persistent disparities in triage, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease,” Gonuguntla said in a news release on his study. “It’s important to focus on the social determinants of health that could be playing a role and implement various strategies at both the state and national level to address them.”

Find out what Dr. Gonuguntla had to say to DocWire News.