The South Asian Heart Program team had a great time celebrating Holi at the Dallas Festival of Colors earlier this month. Complimentary BMI and blood pressure screenings were offered to festival attendees to generate a conversation on the importance of heart health risk factors in the South Asian community. Our team made festival members aware of how to assess their risks for heart disease using three key measures:
1. Check your BMI: To assess your risk, calculate your weight/height (in inches squared) x 703. For South Asians, a BMI of less than 23 indicates a healthy weight, between 23-27.5 is overweight, and more than 27.5 indicates obesity.
2. Know your family health history: If a close relative had a heart attack at an early age (before 55 for men, before 65 for women), that is considered “premature” and increases your risk.
3. Measure your waist circumference: Place a measuring tape around your abdomen at belly-button level. For South Asians, a waist circumference greater than 35.4 inches in men or 31.5 inches in women is considered high.
If you missed the #UTSouthwestern South Asian Heart Program at the festival, you can make an appointment to see our culturally knowledgeable team of experts who will provide an evaluation and help you maintain your heart health. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 214-645-8000 or visit https://bit.ly/3OtR2ZG
Original source can be found here.
