Asian Americans less likely to survive in-hospital heart attacks

A new study from the American Heart Association finds Asian Americans and Hispanics are less likely to survive a heart attack at a hospital.

The Cardiology Advisor reports just 17.8% of Asian patients survived cardiac arrest while at the hospital compared to 19.4% for Hispanics and a survival rate of 22% for White patients.

Asian patients were also less likely to receive after 5 minutes epinephrine, a drug used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR during cardiac arrest.

5.6% of Asian patients received the drug after five minutes compared to 6.3% of Hispanics and 7.7% of White patients.

The study’s authors said “…compared with White patients, Hispanic and Asian patients with IHCA had lower rates of overall survival and favorable neurologic survival.”

No reason was given for the disparity.

However, previous findings from the American Heart Association have listed immigration, socioeconomic position and differences in health care access and utilization as influencing health behaviors and disease risks.

Racism also plays a role.

“Achieving health equity in this rapidly growing population will require multilevel interventions that target the key factors influencing cardiovascular health and account for the unique experiences within individual Asian subgroups,” said Dr. Nilay S. Shah of Northwestern University.

Asian cuisine may also be a factor.

The Heart Association recommends eating whole grains such as brown or black rice rather than white rice.

Select leaner versions of beef, use low-fat coconut milk or other nondairy alternatives, and use oils with less saturated fat such as canola, safflower, sunflower oils.

Specific recommendations for Southeast Asia, South Asia and Northeast Asian cuisine can be found here.