Translating a Heart Disease Lifestyle Intervention Into the Community

Translating a Heart Disease Lifestyle Intervention Into the Community

Translating a Heart Disease Lifestyle Intervention in the Community study will evaluate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of a community-based, culturally-targeted, lifestyle intervention to improve the cardiovascular health of underserved South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali, and Sri Lankan) Americans. Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to either a group to receive heart disease prevention classes or to another group where they will receive written materials about heart disease prevention.

South Asian individuals were recruited from a community based organization in Chicago and randomly assigned to the print health education group or the SAHELI intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• South Asians between 30 and 60 years
• Have at least one CHD risk factor: obesity (body mass index > 25 kg/m2- cutoff for obesity in South Asians), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, pre-diabetes, or diabetes.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to speak English, Hindi, or Urdu
• History of clinically evident CVD (e.g. heart attack, stroke)
• Pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
• Conditions that inhibit moderate intensity physical activity
• Systolic blood pressure ≥190 or diastolic blood pressure ≥105; Triglycerides ≥ 400
• Using insulin for diabetes
• Significant medical or psychiatric co-morbidities
• Plans to move out of the area within 2 years
• Family/household member enrolled in study