Did you know that South Asians living in the West have among the greatest risk and prevalence of cardiovascular disease [4]? It’s true: one in four middle-aged people in Pakistan have cardiovascular disease and this number continues to increase [4]. Why is it so common you may ask? Well, there are several risk factors, including environmental and genetic factors. Examples of these factors are tobacco use, greater blood pressure, and increased levels of protein in the urine which can often be a result of the food you eat [4]. When looking at Pakistan specifically, research indicates that there has been a major change in diet habits due to industrialization and food market globalization [1]. People in Pakistan are consuming nutrient-poor diets, and this can be due to several reasons including lack of education surrounding healthy living, as well as a low socio-economic status. People in Pakistan may also eat unhealthy food due to the increased cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the easily available and affordable saturated foods [2].
On the other hand, being South Asian is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease [3]. South Asian culture is much different than other cultures. South Asian cuisine tends to rich in fats and simple carbohydrates which can lead to clogged arteries and poor circulatory health. The typical culture and lifestyle of South Asians puts them at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Living in a low-income country can also contribute to chronic stress, increased inflammation and poor heart health outcomes.
Additionally, little importance has been given to cardiovascular disease and prevention of it in Pakistan. It has been noted that the majority of Pakistan’s health resources are tied with infectious and reproductive issues and thus the healthcare system in Pakistan isn’t as focused on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease [2]. This lack of awareness then leads to patients seeking medical help after a cardiovascular event has happened. On top of that, a significant amount of people from the rural population are unable to access these services because of financial issues, social stigma, geographical barriers among other inaccessibility issues [2].
Currently, there are limited institutions dedicated to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there are certain measures that can be taken to change this. Public interventions are needed to spread more awareness about cardiovascular disease and their related risk factors [2]. These messages also need to focus on educating the Pakistani population about the differences between healthy and unhealthy food [2]. Along with this, the Pakistani healthcare system should allocate more funding, social supports and emphasis on chronic illnesses, as this will allow them to research, prevent and teach the public about the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Pakistan [2].
Author: Priya Amin
References
1. Abbas, S., Kitchlew, A. R., & Abbas, S. (2009). Disease Burden of Ischemic Heart Disease in Pakistan and its Risk Factors. Annals of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, 5(3), 145–150.
2. Barolia, R., Sayani, A. H. (2017). Risk factors of cardiovascular disease and its recommendations in Pakistani context. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 67(11), 1723-1729.
3. Jafar, T. H. (2006). Women in Pakistan have a greater burden of clinical cardiovascular risk factors than men. International Journal of Cardiology, 106(3), 348–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2005.02.013
4. Jafar, T. H., Jafary, F. H., Jessani, S., & Chaturvedi, N. (2005). Heart disease epidemic in Pakistan: Women and men at equal risk. American Heart Journal, 150(2), 221–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2004.09.025
JP Stroke Foundation 
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