Arab and non-Arab Coronary Artery Disease Patients: Comparing Risk Factors; the Smoking Mirrors of Ethnicity

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is known to have traditional risk factors. However, the individual risks related to specific ethnicities are more complex and rely on genetic pre-disposition and life style habits.

Located in the Galilee area, we have the privilege to compare several ethnic groups which are widely represented in our CAD patient`s population and further explore the specific risk factors associated with ethnicity.

In the current study we investigate the nature and prevalence of the traditional risk factors comparing Arab and non-Arab ethnicity in CAD patients.

Methods: We investigated our database (4/14-10/15), for patients that had CAD defined by coronary angiography as ≥50% narrowing in at least≥1 vessel. Patients were divided into two groups according to their ethnicity: Arab vs. Non-Arab origin. Patient`s CAD risk factors characteristics were compared.

Results: CAD was found in 1031 patients who were analyzed. CAD was diagnosed in 198 (19%) patients during STEMI, in 620 (60%) with unstable angina/NSTEMI and in 313 (31%) in the settings of stable angina.

Compared to no-Arab patients, patients with Arab ethnicity were ~5 years younger, 50% more likely to be active smokers and 25%, more obese and were more likely to have a family history of CAD. No other differences were noted in the traditional coronary risk factors and/or the number of significant coronary obstructions.

Conclusion: The importance of our findings is that active smoking and obesity , both potentially modifiable risk factors, stood up as the major risk factors among CAD patients with Arab ethnicity comparing to non-Arab one. This should alert us as care givers to focus on smoking and obesity which pose this ethnic population significantly into the risk of CAD even at earlier age comparing to the non-Arabic population.