Are aborigines at a higher risk of heart disease?

This question has been posted in these health communities: Aboriginal Health, Cardiovascular Disease

Q: Are aborigines at a higher risk of heart disease?

John Stevens (Exercise Physiologist)
Health Professional

Im an exercise physiologist working in private practice on the Mid North Coast of NSW. My main areas of practice are chronic disease management and ... View profile
Indigenous Australians and many other people groups from different ethnicities are at higher risk of heart disease, including the indigenous populations of Asia and North & South America. What this actually means is that the bar, as far as behaviours required to improve prevention is higher. Where as a white male may need to maintain a waist circumference below 94cm to reduce their risk of cardiovascular and other diseases, the threshold for people of these ethnicities is lower though there are no specified guidelines.

A healthy lifestyle incorporating good dietary and exercise habits can stil provide the same risk lowering benefits for indigenous peoples as it can for the rest fo the population and for more advice speak to your GP about referral to an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and/or Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Reply to this post | Report
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