South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program Q&A

Yamini S. Levitzky, MD, MPH, is a cardiologist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where she leads the South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program, the only program of its kind in the area. Specializing in preventive medicine, Dr. Levitzky is passionate about helping people in her community reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their overall health. Her parents hailed from southern India and were educated in northern India, giving her unique cultural perspectives from both regions.

"The South Asian community in the Newton-Wellesley area is eager to take good care of their health," she says. "They're receptive to suggestions and ready and willing to take the steps they need to get and stay healthy."

Dr. Levitzky answers questions about the South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program, emphasizing the importance of having a cardiovascular care program tailored to the unique needs of the South Asian community.

Why Does Newton-Wellesley Have a Special Cardiovascular Program for South Asian Patients?

South Asians are disproportionately more at risk of developing cardiovascular disease at a much younger age than any other ethnic or racial group. While the reasons are not fully understood, two significant factors stand out: cultural beliefs about exercise and dietary preferences.

Nowadays, we tend to lead a much more sedentary lifestyle than our parents and grandparents, who thought of exercise as a social activity— perhaps a leisurely walk to visit neighbors or the local temple — instead of something that needed to be done. It certainly didn't involve visiting a gym.

Our diets have also shifted. Many South Asians follow a vegetarian diet that is heavier in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats and lower in fiber. Convenience and prepared foods that are vegetarian-friendly — ready-to-eat foods, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and desserts — tend to be higher in sodium, added sugar, and saturated fats while lacking adequate fiber, complex carbs, and key nutrients.

These lifestyle habits can lead to diabetes, obesity, and heart conditions like coronary artery disease. In the short term, these conditions can affect our ability to be active and enjoy time with loved ones. Over the years, if these conditions go unrecognized and untreated, they can significantly shorten our lifespan.

With most of its practitioners of South Asian descent, the South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program is designed to address these specific risks and provide tailored care to improve the heart health of the local South Asian community.

What Conditions Does the South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program Treat?

We help people with a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions, including:

• Atherosclerosis: Restricted blood flow (also known as hardening of the arteries) due to buildup of fat and cholesterol
• Cerebrovascular diseases: Conditions such as strokes or aneurysms
• Coronary heart disease: Affects arteries in the heart that supply blood to the heart muscle
• Diabetes and pre-diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Peripheral artery disease: Affects the arteries that carry blood away from the heart

What Should I Expect as a Patient?

We want patients to feel as comfortable as possible. Our team includes native Hindi speakers, and we also provide video translation in other South Asian languages.

During your first visit, we'll evaluate your cardiovascular health and identify any risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. This includes reviewing genetic risk factors by checking for a family history of heart disease.

Please bring a list of your current medications and copies of all previous test results, including any tests done overseas. We may ask you to get additional blood tests or imaging tests before creating your personalized cardiovascular care plan.

A key component of your care plan will be nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian who is familiar with both South Asian and Western cuisines. Our dietitians understand the benefits of traditional South Asian cuisines and foods. They will help you create a grocery list to plan heart-healthy meals based on foods available in your local market to adapt to your busy lifestyle.

We'll also connect you with an exercise coach who can meet with you by phone, by video conference, or at the hospital's gym. They'll design a workout program to help you build muscle mass—which is increasingly important as we age—and to control your cholesterol and blood sugar.

Also, our providers work closely with the broader network of Mass General Brigham specialists. If you need additional medical or surgical care, we'll connect you with the appropriate experts. This ensures you receive comprehensive, coordinated care tailored to your specific needs.

As a preventive medicine clinic, we'll continue to guide you as you embark on your new, healthier lifestyle. We offer the option of virtual visits for follow-up appointments.

Why Do South Asian Patients Trust the South Asian Heart Health and Nutrition Program?

• Community connection: We know the South Asian community because we're part of the community. We understand the unique health challenges you face and address them with empathy, understanding, and compassion.
• Seamless connection to other specialists: We also help you navigate the larger Mass General Brigham network, connecting you with the expertise and innovative techniques of our nationally recognized physicians and specialists.
• Commitment to advancing health of South Asian communities: We recognize that South Asian Americans have at least double the risk of heart disease compared to the general population. To understand why, we're enrolling patients in the OurHealth research program, which studies cardiovascular disease risk among diverse South Asian populations.
• Effective and trustworthy care: Our program is designed to give you peace of mind. Many of our patients are referred to us by friends and family who trusted us to help them on their path to a healthier future.

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