A study done by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto has found that some ethnic groups are more at risk for developing heart disease than others. The "cardiovascular risk profile" show that Chinese have the most favourable profile at 4%, south Asians at 8%, whites at 10% and blacks at 11%. This is based on 2 or more risk factors, which include, smoking, obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
Blacks have a 44% higher risk and south Asians a 24% higher risk of developing hypertension than whites. Smoking is 3 times more common for whites than for Chinese and south Asians. It is also more common for men than women, but the difference between men and women was much smaller among whites and blacks than Chinese and south Asians.
Obesity was 5 times more common for whites and blacks than Chinese ( black females are more likely to report obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease than black males). South Asians and blacks have 2 times higher risk of diabetes than whites and Chinese.
Cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke, is found twice as often in south Asians as in Chinese. They noted also that about 75% did not get at least 15 minutes of daily exercise. This problem is worst among south Asians, Chinese and blacks. It is very important to stop smoking, get exercise and watch diet and lifestyle.
The study looked at data from 154,653 whites, 3,364 south Asians, 3,038 Chinese and 2,742 Blacks, living in Ontario..........south Asians are 4%, Chinese are 3.9% and blacks are 2.5% 0f the Canadian population according to the 2006 census.
Maria Chiu, the principal investigator, noted that "health care needs appear to be different in each of the ethnic groups, so our strategies should be ethnically tailored to individual groups" and thus " a one-size-fits-all"strategy, that in the past focused on mainly the white population is outdated and inadequate. A new approach is needed given Canada's growing multi-ethnic population
" No group can get away with saying they have the perfect risk-factor profile. Every single group can make lifestyle changes to improve their health", says Chiu.
Blacks have a 44% higher risk and south Asians a 24% higher risk of developing hypertension than whites. Smoking is 3 times more common for whites than for Chinese and south Asians. It is also more common for men than women, but the difference between men and women was much smaller among whites and blacks than Chinese and south Asians.
Obesity was 5 times more common for whites and blacks than Chinese ( black females are more likely to report obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease than black males). South Asians and blacks have 2 times higher risk of diabetes than whites and Chinese.
Cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke, is found twice as often in south Asians as in Chinese. They noted also that about 75% did not get at least 15 minutes of daily exercise. This problem is worst among south Asians, Chinese and blacks. It is very important to stop smoking, get exercise and watch diet and lifestyle.
The study looked at data from 154,653 whites, 3,364 south Asians, 3,038 Chinese and 2,742 Blacks, living in Ontario..........south Asians are 4%, Chinese are 3.9% and blacks are 2.5% 0f the Canadian population according to the 2006 census.
Maria Chiu, the principal investigator, noted that "health care needs appear to be different in each of the ethnic groups, so our strategies should be ethnically tailored to individual groups" and thus " a one-size-fits-all"strategy, that in the past focused on mainly the white population is outdated and inadequate. A new approach is needed given Canada's growing multi-ethnic population
" No group can get away with saying they have the perfect risk-factor profile. Every single group can make lifestyle changes to improve their health", says Chiu.
