![]() The options are “white,” “African American” or “Other.” There is a section within the calculator that explains the evidence behind how a patient’s risk is calculated and limitations of the calculated estimated risk. The metrics that the ASCVD risk calculator require include age, diabetes status, sex, smoking status, cholesterol levels and BP. We use algorithms in our day-to-day practice, but those algorithms do not necessarily take into account the race and ethnicity of our patients.Īs an example, in the U.S., we use the ASCVD risk calculator to determine the 10-year risk of heart disease or stroke in patients. As primary care physicians, we are always trying to screen patients for these commonly asymptomatic conditions, so it is really important to know who needs a screening test. We need better risk calculatorsĬVD and diabetes are often initially without any symptoms but can be deadly. Even within the different South Asian population groups, there is variable risk for developing CVD. Those are certainly risk factors that predispose them to developing CVD, and in particular, ASCVD. In addition, South Asians have very high rates of insulin resistance and diabetes as well as dyslipidemia. This shows that they have a disproportionately high rate of CVD. They comprise 25% of the global population, but 60% of global heart disease patients. ![]() Patients of South Asian descent - those from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives - have a fourtimes greater risk for atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) than the general population. The reason why it is important for physicians to be aware of the different BMI cutoffs for patients of Asian descent is so we can appropriately identify patients who might need screening for additional risk factors associated with being overweight or obese: diabetes and CVD. For example, for Asian populations in aggregate, WHO recommends a BMI cutoff of 23 kg/m² for those who are overweight (range of 22 kg/m²to 25 kg/m² depending on subpopulation) and 27.5 kg/m² for those who are obese (range of 26 kg/m² to 31 kg/m²depending on subpopulation), rather than what is usually taught in medical school and known in clinical practice in the United States, which is a BMI of 25 kg/m² for overweight and a BMI of 30 kg/m² for obese. Many physicians are not necessarily aware that WHO recommends different BMI cutoffs for different groups. It is important for us as physicians to be able to appropriately risk stratify patients to provide appropriate preventive care, treatment and care management, as well as identify risk factors that patients might have based on their race or ethnicity. Nationwide, there is significantly increased interest and focus on addressing racial and ethnic health disparities.Īs Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month comes to a close, it is critical that we raise awareness of practices that may perpetuate health inequities in the AAPI community. ![]() If you continue to have this issue please contact to Healio ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |