The Twin Epidemics:
Higher Incidence, Greater Severity, and Earlier Onset
Those who originate from the countries of the Indian sub-continent—Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka face a disproportionate burden and risk for the dual chronic issues of diabetes and heart disease:
with heart disease
with diabetes (by 2030)
occur before the age of 40
occur before the age of 50
“Diabetes and Heart Disease are twin epidemics that strike South Asians severely at a younger age, despite many being vegetarians, non-smoking, and not overweight.”
Ashish Mathur
Co-founder & Executive Director, South Asian Heart Center
Why Are South Asians at Such High Risk?
South Asians experience a “triple burden” of genetic predisposition, lifestyle habits, and cultural/environmental influences. Traditional guidelines miss much of this risk, making advanced testing and lifestyle-based prevention essential.
To uncover hidden risks, South Asians need advanced testing that goes well beyond routine cholesterol and glucose checks. This deeper evaluation examines genetic predispositions, inflammatory markers, metabolic indicators, and lifestyle habits such as diet, activity, stress, and sleep patterns. Together, these insights provide a far more accurate picture of health, enabling earlier detection, sharper risk assessment, and truly personalized prevention.
So What Can You Do To Reduce Your Risk?
93% of diabetes and 79% of heart attacks are preventable. Lifestyle is the key.
You have the power to change the story. While South Asians face higher risks, those risks are not destiny. By acting early, you can prevent disease before it starts. Small, consistent lifestyle changes—backed by science and tailored to our culture—make a big difference.
At the South Asian Heart Center, we simplify this through M.E.D.S.™—Meditation, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep.
These four habits are the foundation of prevention. Practiced daily, they lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, ease stress, and protect your heart. With the right support, taking your daily M.E.D.S. becomes the most powerful prescription of all—one that strengthens you and safeguards your family’s future.
How Do I Get Started?
Don't wait for symptoms. Take charge today with AIM to Prevent™—a program designed for South Asians to halt heart attacks and stop diabetes. More than advice—it gives you a partner, a comprehensive evaluation, a next steps plan, and the power to rewrite your health story. Start today and turn risk into resilience.
