The OurHealth Study – Discovering the Causes Behind High Rates of Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in South Asians

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a life-changing and often frightening condition—one that weighs heavily on the global South Asian community. Many South Asians either have been directly affected by heart disease or know someone who has. Yet, despite South Asians constituting nearly a quarter of the world’s population, they remain significantly underrepresented in genetic studies and clinical trials.

Why South Asians Face Higher CVD Risk

Studies have shown that South Asians (defined here as individuals with ancestry from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka) experience higher rates of cardiovascular events, often at younger ages than other ethnic groups. Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recognize South Asian ancestry as a “risk-enhancing factor” for CVD. As medicine strives to move away from broad race-based classifications, this designation underscores how little we truly understand about the precise mechanisms of disease risk in South Asian populations.

Research shows that people with Bangladeshi or Pakistani heritage face particularly high rates of heart disease, relative even to those with Indian ancestry—hinting at genetic and cultural differences that remain poorly understood. While certain drivers of risk (diet, stress, and lack of physical activity) are well established, the underrepresentation of South Asians in genetic studies (just 1% of participants to date) means we still have much to learn about how genomics, environment, and lifestyle interact to increase heart disease susceptibility.

The Opportunity of Digital Studies

One of the most promising ways to address this research gap is through national initiatives utilizing digital platforms to expand the reach to more communities and reduce participant burden. These studies can better reflect the real-world diversity of the diaspora, ensuring findings—and future treatments—are more robust and inclusive.

How can you help? Join the OurHealth Study

The OurHealth study is leading the way to better understand the complexities of CVD within the South Asian diaspora by merging genetic research with lifestyle and environmental factors. The study aims to:

• – Discover and characterize genetic and non-genetic drivers of cardiovascular and other health risks among South Asians in the U.S. We are also in the early stages of building a new sub-study that aims to return your personalized genomic risk score for heart disease to you when you participate.
• – Offer culturally relevant health information for cardiovascular health, recognizing the diverse dietary and lifestyle practices within the community. 
• – Maintain bi-directional communication with participants, ensuring ongoing engagement and the potential for further data collection.

So far, 2,000 participants have enrolled, and 700 saliva samples have been collected since the study’s launch in October 2023, but we need your help to build a dataset of 10,000 participant samples that will effectively allow us to conduct a meaningful analysis.  

The OurHealth team at India Day Parade in NYC and a community outreach event.

Known Risk Factors Beyond Genetics

While genetics are a crucial piece of the puzzle, lifestyle and environmental factors play a major role in the elevated cardiovascular risk among South Asians:

• – Diet: Traditional South Asian diets can be high in refined carbohydrates, sugars, and fats. Over time, these dietary patterns contribute to obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
• – Lack of Physical Activity: Stressors linked to immigration, work, and cultural norms often leave less room for exercise, further compounding disease risk.
• – Obesity and Abdominal Fat: Even at a normal BMI, South Asians frequently accumulate visceral fat around the abdomen, increasing insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disease risk.
• – High Blood Pressure: South Asians develop hypertension at higher rates than many other ethnic groups, further amplifying heart disease risk.

Evidence-Based Tips for Heart Health

The good news is that many of these risks can be mitigated with proactive steps:

• – Heart-Healthy Diet: Opt for whole grains over refined carbohydrates, low- or non-fat dairy over high-fat versions, and reduce added sugars.
• – Increased Physical Activity: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (e.g., brisk walking, dancing, biking) per week, along with enjoyable pursuits like gardening or casual sports.
• – Stress Management: Incorporate mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises into your routine to help reduce stress-related poor dietary choices.
• – Regular Screenings: Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels to catch warning signs early and prevent disease progression.

OurHealth team members Shriie Ganesh presenting on the OurHealth study at American Heart Association (AHA) Conference Nov. ‘24, and Aarushi Bhatnagar presenting on the OurHealth study at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Conference in Mar. ‘25.

To join OurHealth, visit ourhealthstudy.org and together, we can work toward heart-healthy futures for all South Asians.

Your partnership at this critical time will allow us to reach more patients, drive innovative research, and lead the next chapter of heart disease prevention. Philanthropy is not just support—it is a catalyst for change. With your generosity, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible in cardiovascular care and build a healthier future for all.

To donate to OurHealth, visit DONATE to OurHealth.

About the Authors

Dr. Pradeep Natarajan, MD, MMSc is Principal Investigator of the OurHealth study. He is the Director of Preventive Cardiology, and the Paul and Phyllis Fireman Endowed Chair in Vascular Medicine at Mass General Hospital, Associate Director of Personalized Medicine at Mass General Brigham, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Associate Member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. His research lab spans the MGH Cardiovascular Research Center, MGH Center for Genomic Medicine, and Broad Institute’s Cardiovascular Disease Initiative. He uses germline and somatic genetic variation to uncover new biology and enable enhanced clinical care for cardiovascular disease. He has received several awards for his contributions, including the 2023 Joseph A. Vita Award from the American Heart Association, as well as mentoring awards from MGH and Harvard Medical School. In tandem with his research efforts, Dr. Natarajan oversees clinical and training programs on the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases leading the Mass General Hospital Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center.

OurHealth study staff also involved in the creation of this post: Romit Bhattacharya MD, Whitney Hornsby PhD, Shriie Ganesh BS, Christine Russo BA, Aarushi Bhatnagar BA.