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Is capillary rarefaction an independent risk marker for cardiovascular disease in South Asians?

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 25, pages 465–466 (2011)Cite this article

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South Asians have a significantly higher mortality rate from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with Caucasians. We found that healthy South Asians have a significantly lower functional (45±8 versus 58±8 per field, P =0.00001) and structural capillary density (49±9 versus 64±11 per field, P =0.00001) when compared with healthy Caucasians. Capillary Rarefaction may be an early cardiovascular marker in South Asians.

CVD is the main cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed and the developing world. South Asians (Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi) are at higher CVD risk compared with Caucasian individuals. Although standard risk factors present in the South Asians confer the risk, they do not fully explain the increased incidence of CVD, metabolic syndrome or diabetes in this population.1

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, Blood Pressure Unit, St George's University of London, London, UK

    V Nama & T F Antonios

  2. Springfield Hospital, Lawn Lane, Chelmsford, UK

    J Onwude

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK

    V Nama & I T Manyonda

Authors
  1. V Nama
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  2. J Onwude
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  3. I T Manyonda
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  4. T F Antonios
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Correspondence to V Nama.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Contribution to authorship

TFA and ITM contributed equally to the study. VN conducted the observations. JO performed the statistical analysis. All authors discussed the results and implications and commented on the manuscript at all stages.

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Nama, V., Onwude, J., Manyonda, I. et al. Is capillary rarefaction an independent risk marker for cardiovascular disease in South Asians?. J Hum Hypertens 25, 465–466 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2011.1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2011.1

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