Study Finds High Heart Disease Risk Among Apparently Healthy Pakistanis
KARACHI: A nationwide health study has identified a significant number of previously undetected risk factors for heart disease among Pakistanis who considered themselves healthy.
Preliminary findings from the Pak Sehat Study were presented at a seminar at the University of Karachi’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in connection with World Heart Day. The event was organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Cardiac Society and PharmEvo.
According to the study, around 2,000 people between the ages of 30 and 65 from different parts of Pakistan were screened. The participants were selected according to the population share of each province.
Although the participants regarded themselves as healthy, medical examinations and laboratory tests revealed several cardiovascular risk factors.
The preliminary findings showed that about 45% of participants had high blood pressure, while approximately 35% had diabetes. Nearly 70% were found to have elevated cholesterol levels, while obesity was recorded among around 72% to 80% of those screened.
Tabba Heart Director Dr Bashir Hanif said these factors can be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. He noted that obesity is often linked with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and elevated cholesterol.
Dr Hanif said the research is also examining why heart disease appears to be affecting South Asians at relatively younger ages. The study is focusing on premature narrowing of coronary arteries and related risk factors among young and middle-aged Pakistanis.
Researchers are also examining genetic, dietary, environmental and lifestyle factors that could contribute to the development of heart disease at an early age. Blood samples collected from participants have been preserved for genetic analysis.
The participants will be monitored for the next 10 years. During this period, researchers plan to repeat medical assessments and blood tests at different intervals, while CT angiography is expected to be conducted again after five and 10 years.
Meanwhile, NICVD Director of Cardiac Imaging Prof Dr Saba Bhatti said another national registry is screening apparently healthy pregnant women at antenatal clinics through echocardiography.
According to Dr Bhatti, research based on the registry found that around four out of every 100 women screened had previously undiagnosed heart or heart-valve conditions.
The researchers say the ongoing studies could help identify hidden cardiovascular risk factors and improve early detection of heart-related conditions in Pakistan.
