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If you are from a South Asian background (that is, from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) living in the UK you have
a 50% greater risk of dying prematurely (before the age of 75 years old) than the general population. This is the same for both men and women and
the risk factors for heart disease can even be found in South Asian children living in the UK.
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| The increased susceptibility to heart disease is not completely understood. The rate of heart disease is high for South Asians living in the Indian subcontinent
and South Asians have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Also, the clustering of risk factors such as raised blood glucose, sugar, levels; high blood pressure;
abnormal blood fats, low HDL cholesterol, good cholesterol, and high triglycerides; central obesity; and 'sticky blood' with an increased
tendency to form clots is very widespread. This collection of medical conditions is also known as Syndrome X, metabolic syndrome or the insulin resistance syndrome. |
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Lifestyle factors |
Lifestyle factors have a part to play as evidence suggests that South Asians (women in particular) are less likely to participate in physical activity compared to the rest of the population. Also, the typical South Asian diet can contain too much saturated fat, fried foods and excess calories which leads to being overweight especially fat centred around the waist (apple-shaped). The influence of a 'Western' lifestyle no doubt heightens the increased susceptibility to heart disease.
South Asians often have a low awareness of risk factors for heart disease and complex cultural, language and social barriers can prevent access
to usual healthcare services, which may have an impact on detection and treatment.  If you are from an African-Caribbean background you are at lower risk of heart disease, but you are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as the rest
of the population and you may have your first stroke at a younger age. You are especially more prone to high blood pressure and more likely to
develop type 2 diabetes, both risk factors for heart disease and a stroke. Although the reasons for this are unknown they are likely to include both
genetic and environmental factors. It is thought to be at least partly a result of a fault in a gene that should enable the body to handle salt as well as high rates of obesity especially in African-Caribbean women.
The good news is that even if you are more likely to develop heart disease or suffer a stroke because of your ethnic background there is still plenty you can do to reduce your risk by:
- Making a change in your lifestyle.
- Eating a heart healthy diet.
- Being more physically active.
- Quitting smoking.
- Not drinking excessively, keeping within 'sensible' alcohol limits.
- Having regular check-ups for blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose.
- Taking medication as recommended.
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