Researchers Seek Link to Heart Disease in Lumbees

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Duke Medical researchers in Lumberton are looking into whether there's a genetic link for heart disease in Lumbee Indians.

For decades, doctors at the Southeastern Regional Medical Center have seen Lumbee patients in their 30's and 40's with symptoms of heart disease more common in people in their 70's.

Now Duke Medical researchers are putting together a data base of Lumbee patients to see if they can find a genetic link to premature coronary artery disease.

Dr. Terry Lowery is director of the Cardiovascular Unit at the Southeastern Regional Medical Center.

"We'll see a patient come in and they're say for example 39-years-old. And then we find out well, this person's father died at age 41 or age 35 and it was from a micro infarction."

Lowery says a genetic link could help doctors screen their Lumbee patients and start preventative care early.

Researchers are seeking Lumbees under 56, who have a family history of heart disease to take part in the study.

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