South Asian Health Risk Factors

Compared with other ethnic groups, South Asians are especially at risk for serious medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. This includes people whose origins can be traced to one of the following countries:

• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Nepal

Why are these diseases so common in South Asians? A combination of genetics and lifestyle may be to blame. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk through proper nutrition, exercise and preventive medicine such as mindfulness and stress reduction.

Major Risk Factors

Studies show that most heart attacks in South Asians are linked to at least one of the following risk factors. About 50 percent of South Asians have a dangerous combination of these risk factors.

• Sedentary Lifestyle — Many South Asians work in jobs where they sit at a desk all day, and they may not have a regular fitness routine.
• Diet — South Asians who live in the United States commonly gain weight due to a high-calorie diet rich in saturated fats. South Asian diets, particularly vegetarian, also rely heavily on refined carbohydrates such as white rice and bread.
• Smoking — If you smoke and are South Asian, you are in the highest risk category for heart disease and should make quitting your number one priority. Smoking is one of the strongest known risk factors for heart attack and is, unfortunately, a prevalent habit among South Asians. Some South Asian men view smoking as a form of identity and social bonding, which perpetuates this deadly habit. (Bidis and chewing tobacco are also associated with heart health risks.) Consider over-the-counter nicotine replacement products, or talk with your doctor about prescription medications that can help curb tobacco cravings.
• Stress and Depression — A large study involving South Asians found that psychosocial factors, such as stress and depression, are major risk factors for heart attack. For many South Asian immigrants, excessive stress results from the financial, social and family pressures of trying to integrate into a completely different environment.

Common Misconceptions

Get the facts on these myths about South Asian health.

1. South Asians are not overweight. 

Overall, South Asians may not look as overweight as other ethnic groups as measured by standard body mass index (BMI) criteria. However, even a small amount of excess belly fat significantly increases risk for diabetes and heart disease. Based on this risk, a separate BMI scale has been created for South Asians.

2. A vegetarian diet is healthier. 

A typical South Asian vegetarian diet may actually be more harmful than a non-vegetarian diet. South Indians who follow a predominantly vegetarian diet appear to have a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease than their neighbors in Northern India who eat more meat and fish.

3. South Asian women are at lower risk for health conditions. 

Like South Asian men, South Asian women are also at very high risk for diabetes and heart disease. Unfortunately, South Asian women are not routinely screened for these diseases, and healthcare is often limited to visits with their gynecologists. However, early screening is just as important for women.

What You Can Do

According to research, many South Asians develop heart disease at least 10 to 15 years earlier than most other ethnic groups. That means screening should be done as early as possible. Make an appointment to see your doctor, who will evaluate your risk factors. Knowing details about your family history also will help your doctor to assess your overall risk for diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease.

Managing the following risk factors can reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke and even memory loss from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

• Cholesterol
• Blood Sugar
• Blood Pressure
• Body Size
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Smoking
• Stress and Depression