7 Ways to Prevent a Heart Attack
Recent studies have found that Asians, including Singaporeans, have a higher proportion of body fat (including visceral fat) compared with Caucasians of the same age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). This would be one of the explanations for the greater risk for cardiovascular and diabetes mellitus in Asians at relatively low BMI levels.
Body Mass Index (BMI) & Risk of Heart Disease
Body mass index (BMI) is the recommended index to define overweight and obesity. This simple measurement – weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in centimetres – is useful for screening excess weight and is highly correlated with the body fat percentage and the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
It is important to note that the cut-off points for health concerns in Asians are lower at 23 kg/m2 than the international and WHO cut-off of 25 kg/m2. Similarly, the waist circumference cut-off for Asians is lower at 90cm for men and 80cm for women.
A wide range of investigations is available to identify atherosclerosis but further screening would depend on the presence of symptoms and the global assessment of risk factors.
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