South Asians including people of Indo-Caribbean background comprise (1.7 billion people) 25% of the world’s population with over 4 million South Asians living in the United States. Cardiovascular disease including Coronary Artery Disease and Stroke is the most common cause of death in South Asians. They have more than 4 fold greater risk of Coronary Heart Disease than the general US population. Unlike Caucasians where heart disease generally becomes symptomatic in late 40’s to 50’s, it is not uncommon to see South Asians become symptomatic in their late 30’s with heart attacks in their 40’s. According to World Health Organization more than 60% of the worlds heart disease is among people of South Asians genes.
It is unclear what actually predisposes South Asians to such aggressive cardiovascular disease starting at a much younger age. The high disposition appears multifactorial; genetic and environmental factors along with diet and lifestyle play a significant role. It is imperative that South Asians be screened early. They must rapidly change their lifestyle with a healthier diet and a regular exercise regimen be implemented early on in life. The traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease which include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity play significant role in South Asians as well. South Asians tends to have much higher incidence of Diabetes, Low HDL, High Triglycerides with carbohydrate and saturated fat rich diet. Since 35% of coronary artery disease can occur in people with normal cholesterol, other high risk parameters must be investigated by primary care and cardiovascular physicians.
An integral component of lowering this tragically high incidence of Coronary Artery Disease in South Asians involves the education of both the community and health care professionals. An aggressive approach must be utilized with patients of South Asian descent. Prevention of childhood obesity and healthy diet must be emphasized by pediatricians. In young adults of South Asians decent primary care physicians must screen for high cholesterol, low HDL, high triglycerides and pre-diabetes. In addition LPL and high sensitive CRP can be helpful in screening high risk individuals. All of these must be aggressively treated with strong emphasis on heathy diet, maintaining ideal body weight, daily exercise and gaining muscle mass. With epidemic of diabetes in South Asians aggressive approach to screening, avoiding carbohydrate rich diet and early treatment is essential for prevention of severe coronary artery disease. We offer an entire suite of tests at our clinic.
EKG
Nuclear Stress Test
Nuclear Stress Test
