And unfortunately, the prevalence of risk factors in the South Asian community is alarming. Research has shown that people of South Asian descent are more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, putting them at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke compared to the general population. In fact, South Asians are three times more likely to cope with or die from coronary heart disease! Th
ey also have the highest death rates from ischemic heart disease compared to other ethnic groups. Needles to say, It is time to discuss the issue of heart health openly and honestly. Though these facts are daunting, what is encouraging is that the majority of these diseases and conditions can be prevented. However, despite the dangers, many South Asians choose not to take heart-health risk factors seriously. Some feel such risk factors don’t apply to them. Others shrug their shoulders, thinking death is inevitable, so why change the way they eat or their level of activity? And the barriers aren’t simply mental in nature.
“Sometimes, a lack of culturally appropriate resources and services act as barriers to South Asians navigating the healthcare system,” says AKM Alamgir, a Heart and Stroke Foundation volunteer with an academic and clinical research background in hypertension, childhood obesity and stroke. “Inadequate health literacy and prejudice about health issues also stop them from accessing adequate and timely care,” he adds. In addition to South Asians having higher rates for diabetes and high blood pressure, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity, are also cutting lives needlessly short. According to Dr. Milan Gupta, a Foundation researcher, exercise is a wonderful way to boost heart health, but it’s a tough sell for South Asian communities in Ontario. Dr. Gupta led a study focusing on South Asians’ attitudes towards exercise and how to counter the premature onset of coronary heart disease. His study found that South Asians recovering from coronary heart disease have less access to opportunities for physical activity than Caucasians. They also develop coronary heart disease much earlier in life – in some cases in their 30s or 40s. But even after risk factors are identified, many South Asians fail to make the necessary lifestyle changes to ward off disease. Though South Asians are becoming more aware of heart health through traditional and online media, and through health promotion programs by organizations like the Heart and Stroke Foundation, there still remains a huge gap in transforming knowledge into action. The Heart and Stroke Foundation continues to educate communities about risk factors and warning signs of heart disease and stroke, and give communities the knowledge and the tools they need to make smart decisions for their heart health. Building on the Foundation’s support, the South Asian community needs to come together to support healthy communities and recognize that focusing on health is a critical social investment that requires not only talk, but changes in our thinking and behaviour. The reward for making such changes is longer, fuller lives for our families and our communities for generations. The Heart and Stroke Foundation Ambassadors are excited to launch this new social platform with the hope that more South Asians will engage in Healthy habits. Please feel free to share, discuss and connect on topics about Heart Health. It is time to take action... now!
