A recent analysis reveals important disparities in the development of high blood pressure and cardiovascular risks between South Asian and East Asian adults in the UK, emphasizing the urgent need for more customized screening and treatment strategies for these specific populations.
Researchers utilized health data to forecast that South Asian adults typically experience high blood pressure at an earlier age than their East Asian counterparts. The findings were released on Wednesday in the journal Hypertension from the American Heart Association. Lead researcher, Dr. So Mi Jemma Cho, remarked that “high blood pressure and its management differ significantly across various racial and ethnic groups,” noting that the broad designation of ‘Asian’ fails to reflect these critical variations. She highlighted the importance of this information, particularly since having high blood pressure at a younger age significantly increases the risk of developing heart disease prematurely.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is characterized by a systolic measurement (the upper number) consistently at or above 130 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or a diastolic reading (the lower number) of 80 mmHg or more. It stands as the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes globally. The study analyzed health records from 3,453 adults in the UK Biobank who identified as either South Asian or East Asian, with the majority of participants being South Asian, hailing from nations like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, while East Asian participants indicated Chinese origins.
Throughout the study, researchers monitored participants’ blood pressure readings, incidences of heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, along with lifestyle factors such as smoking habits, dietary intake, and social determinants affecting health. This information facilitated projections of blood pressure trends in five-year increments and their correlation with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
From the age of 30, stark differences emerged, with South Asian adults showing earlier and more rapid increases in systolic blood pressure compared to East Asian adults, albeit still below the hypertensive threshold of 130 mmHg. On average, South Asian men were estimated to reach a systolic blood pressure of at least 130 mmHg by age 36, a decade earlier than East Asian males, while South Asian women were predicted to hit this threshold at 45 compared to 52 for their East Asian counterparts.
Elevated blood pressure during early adulthood was linked to a substantially higher lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease for South Asian adults. Although East Asian individuals were found to develop hypertension later in life, each significant rise in systolic blood pressure during middle age correlated with a nearly 2.5 times higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to blocked arteries and an almost fourfold increase in stroke risk.
These findings underscore the necessity for tailored blood pressure screenings and timely treatments for various Asian subpopulations, ultimately improving personalized care and prevention efforts within these historically overlooked communities. Senior study author Dr. Pradeep Natarajan noted that understanding the unique age-related blood pressure patterns could provide vital insights for effectively managing cardiovascular risks and enhancing health care for diverse populations.
However, the researchers caution that the results may not be applicable to Asian individuals residing outside the UK, as variations in health care systems, living conditions, and cultural adjustments could impact these findings.
In conclusion, the study suggests a complex interaction of social factors and genetics leading to differing experiences of hypertension within Asian populations. Dr. Nilay S. Shah, a cardiologist who led a writing group for an upcoming AHA statement on the social determinants of cardiovascular health in Asian Americans, emphasized the necessity for further research into cardiovascular risk profiles and outcomes affecting Asian communities.
Overall, the increasing evidence calls for continued exploration to deepen our understanding of cardiovascular health among Asian populations, ensuring more effective health interventions.
