A combination of lifestyle and genetic factors are thought to put South Asians at higher risk of heart disease. But these risks often go unnoticed.
Dr. Yamini Levitzky talks with a patient at Newton-Wellesley Hospital's South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program.
Ganatra and a wave of South Asian doctors across the country, motivated by their patients — as well as their own families and friends — are working to better understand and prevent heart disease in South Asians.at Lahey, one of just a few programs in the country designed specifically for people whose families originate from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries.
Pushpir Bhetia, the 52-year-old chef and owner of an Indian restaurant in Cambridge, was one of the first patients to book an appointment at Lahey’s South Asian program. Bhetia loves good food, from traditional Indian dishes to pizza and sandwiches. But he said he tries to eat healthy and exercise — because like a lot of South Asian people, heart disease runs in his family.“My father passed away with a cardiac arrest,” Bhetia said.
South Asian diets tend to be high in carbohydrates and fat — think deep-fried samosas, creamy sauces, lots of rice and breads. Doctors say these diets play an important role in people’s health risks. Levitzky noted that South Asians are more likely to develop conditions like diabetes at lower weights than white patients. Studies also show South Asiansaround the liver and abdominal area, which is associated with higher risk for heart disease.
“What I tell people is that some movement is better than no movement,” Levitzky said. “Very often we get sucked into this concept of, ‘Well, if I don't have 45 minutes or an hour to go to the gym, I'm just not going to do anything.’ I think we need to change that mindset. Going for a five-minute walk or 10-minute walk after dinner counts. Every bit counts.”
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