The Arg72 variant of the p53 functional polymorphism (rs1042522) is associated with coronary artery disease in young South Africans of Indian ancestry.

•SA Indians have a higher prevalence of early-onset CAD compared to SA Blacks.•This study was the first investigation of rs1042522 in SA Indian CAD patients.•Higher frequency of the variant allele was observed in SA Indians compared to Blacks.•Higher frequency of the variant allele may contribute to increased risk of CAD in Indians.