La alarmante crisis de enfermedades cardíacas que enfrenta la comunidad del sur de Asia

It’s well known that Enfermedad del corazón is a major health issue across the U.S. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death for all Americans. But you may be surprised to learn that South Asians are more likely to die of heart disease when compared to other ethnic groups. The high prevalence of heart disease among the South Asian community is a public health crisis and one preventive cardiologists like me are committed to addressing head on!

¿Porque preguntas? Vamos a explorar.

Los sudasiáticos representan aproximadamente una cuarta parte de la población mundial y están compuestos por una diversa gama de culturas y comunidades que generalmente se originan en siete países diferentes: Bangladesh, Bután, India, Maldivas, Nepal, Pakistán y Sri Lanka. Los asiáticos del sur son uno de los grupos étnicos de más rápido crecimiento y florecimiento dentro de los Estados Unidos.

A pesar de esto, los asiáticos del sur tienen un riesgo significativamente mayor de enfermedad cardíaca y tienen más probabilidades de morir de enfermedad cardíaca en comparación con otros grupos étnicos. Además, muchas personas del sur de Asia tienen tendencia a desarrollar enfermedades cardíacas a una edad temprana. Esto se conoce como cardiopatía prematura cuando ocurre antes de los 55 años en los hombres y antes de los 65 años en las mujeres.

Related: 5 common heart failure myths

But there’s good news—many of the risk factors for heart disease that affect South Asian people are modifiable risk factors. This means that with appropriate lifestyle changes, diagnosis and treatment of underlying risk factors, the burden of heart disease can be substantially reduced or in some cases, even prevented.

Algunos factores de riesgo modificables notables para la enfermedad cardíaca que prevalecen entre los asiáticos del sur incluyen:

• Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent risk factors for heart disease among South Asian people. Approximately one quarter of South Asians have diabetes. Diabetes can often be reasonably controlled with proper diet but may also require medication for treatment.

• Hypertension (Alta presion sanguinea): Hypertension affects roughly 30% of South Asians. While reducing dietary salt intake and losing weight are often effective lifestyle modifications, some people may need medications to reduce their blood pressure and thereby their risk for heart disease.

• Colesterol alto: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or the “bad cholesterol” and high triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease that are highly prevalent among people of South Asian origin. While cutting down on saturated fats and simple carbohydrates may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, respectively, often times, additional medical therapy to reduce cholesterol levels may be needed.

• Obesidad: Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is considered to be a risk factor for heart disease. 

• Unhealthy dietary habits: These include consumption of saturated fats such as ghee, butter, palm oil, coconut oil, deep-fried foods, foods with added sugar and heavily processed foods.

• Sedentary lifestyle: Regular physical activity is low amongst South Asian people when compared to many other ethnic groups. The minimum recommended amount of physical activity to keep your heart healthy is 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity.

The good news is this—the majority of these risk factors for heart disease among South Asians are treatable. First and foremost, it is important to know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol panel, and blood sugar levels (or 3-month average measurement of blood sugars known as a hemoglobin A1c). 

Si tiene factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca, debe hablar con un cardiólogo preventivo para evaluar su riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca y obtener ayuda para tratar los factores de riesgo modificables.

“La prevención de enfermedades cardíacas debe comenzar ahora: en nuestra adolescencia, entre los veinte y los treinta”, dijo Samyuktha Senthil Kumar, estudiante de pre-medicina Collegium V Honors en la Universidad de Texas en Dallas. “Para reducir mi riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca, comencé a controlar mi presión arterial, colesterol, IMC y niveles de azúcar en la sangre con regularidad e insto a mi comunidad del sur de Asia a que también lo haga. Busque atención preventiva y modifique su estilo de vida para ser la mejor versión de usted hoy y mañana”.

The Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Baylor Scott and White The Heart Hospital – Plano specializes in the care of people of South Asian ethnicity. With specialized risk stratification tools, preventive cardiovascular care can be tailored to your needs and to accommodate your cultural and ethnic preferences.

No espere hasta que desarrolle síntomas de enfermedad cardíaca. Ser proactivo. Conozca sus números y reciba tratamiento temprano.

Are you at risk for heart disease? Take the quiz and find out.