South Asians are more likely to die of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) than East Asians or people of European ancestry, according to a new scientific statement published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation on May 24.
“Statistics about heart disease and stroke risk among Asians can be deceiving when all people of Asian ethnicity are combined into one group,” said Annabelle S. Volgman, MD, of Rush Medical College and Rush Heart Center for Women in Chicago, in a statement. “Overall, Asians are at a lower risk for heart disease and stroke compared to people of European ancestry. But when you look at South Asians – both immigrants and people of South Asian ancestry born in the United States – their risk for heart disease and stroke is higher than people from East Asia and people of European ancestry.”
South Asians are generally referred to as people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They make up 25 percent of the world’s population.
Volgman et al. determined the South Asian diet—rich in tropical oils, white bread, sugar and highly processed foods, is a key factor is the development of heart disease among the population. Other risk factors for South Asians include lack of physical activity, smoking, the lack of use of healthcare services and social, psychological and environmental factors such as social support, stress, depression and area of residence.
In comparison to people of European ancestry, South Asian Americans:
· are at an increased risk of exhibiting ASCVD;
· are more likely to have multiple areas of their arteries narrowed due to ASCVD;
· have increased levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and also have lower levels of HDL cholesterol;
· have higher amounts of calcium deposits, specifically if they are of Indian ancestry and are over the age of 60;
· will more likely to exhibit diabetes, which can quicken the development of atherosclerosis;
· will develop diabetes at a younger age.
The statement recommended clinicians not only calculate atherosclerosis risk in patients but also make an effort to connect individually with their South Asian patients to discuss their increased risk of developing heart disease and prevention efforts.
“At the individual level, concerted effort has to be made with regard to the doctor-patient relationship,” Volgman et al. wrote. “Clinicians have to demonstrate ‘cultural competency’ not only when it comes to understanding the increased risk of ASCVD in South Asian patients but also when making recommendations on diet and lifestyle modification. Clinicians should be able to provide South Asian patient–specific recommendations and resources on dietary changes, physical activity, and medications to these high-risk patients.”
As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.