South Asians are at greater risk of getting heart disease

Both our genetics and lifestyle are important factors for heart disease. We know that there are differences in risk factors and age at which disease occurs depending on your ancestry. South Asians are 2 to 3 times more likely to get heart disease and are also likely to get it much earlier than people of European ancestry. This higher risk is there even after we take into account  lifestyle factors, which suggests that our genetics may play an important role.

There is a need for more research in South Asian populations

However, our knowledge about heart disease and medical guidelines in Australia are based on data from mostly people of European ancestry. There are very few studies done on DNA and heart disease in South Asians. South Asians make up almost 25% of the world’s population, but less than 2% of genetic research participants.