ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS AMONG SOUTH ASIANS: FINDINGS FROM THE MEDIATORS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN SOUTH ASIANS LIVING IN AMERICA

Abstract

In this thesis, we will evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis using surrogate markers including coronary artery calcium and carotid intima-media thickness in a unique cohort of South Asian population. South Asians have a higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and higher proportionate mortality from cardiovascular disease compared with most other race/ethnic groups in the United States. Most epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between alcohol and CVD. Although the cardioprotective association of light or moderate drinking are noted to be highly variable among the different races and ethnicities. We hypothesized that light to moderate alcohol consumption compared with lifetime abstinence is associated with the decreased prevalence of CAC while moderate to high alcohol consumption is associated with higher CIMT among asymptomatic South Asians aged 40-84 years in the U.S. The first chapter of this thesis will be a literature review and will discuss the underlying mechanism of beneficial and harmful effect on alcohol consumption on CVD. The second chapter will be a manuscript of the association of alcohol consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis in South Asians. The third chapter is comprised of the ancillary studies and discussion of the association of alcohol consumption and ideal cardiovascular health assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) health metrics among the South Asian population.