South Asian cardiovascular disease prevention

Key Takeaways 1. Dr. Sonia Anand’s book “Reclaiming your Hearts: Lessons for South Asians at Risk for Diabetes and Heart Disease” is a short, plan English and very readable book with simple recommendations for lay South asians2. The high risk of cardiovascular disease and early heart attacks in South Asians is a phenomena that has been studied now for over four decades. In Canada, Dr. Anand and her mentors and team members have been part of many such published studies 3. South Asians have a lower definition of normal for BMI (Body Mass Index”—somewhere between 18-2—and definitions of being overweight begin at 23 4. A low carbohydrate diet is a key element of diet modification to prevent heart disease (even more so than fat reduction) in South Asians (SAHARA diet chart in the book) 5. Dr. Anand has shown in her studies that a high genetic risk of heart disease can be negated by consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (“Genetics Loads the Gun, Environment Pulls the trigger” 6. Ayurvedic Medicine has wonderful preventive principles but should not replace scientifically proven evidence when it comes to life saving medications and Interventions