My father had a quadruple heart bypass in November of 2023. The doctors revealed that his issue had been building since he was a teenager, disproving the common misconception that there is no risk of heart disease as long as you're under 25.
Heart disease doesn't discriminate by age, and this is especially true within the South Asian community. We are disproportionately affected by heart disease, yet prevention and research focused on South Asian heart health is severely underfunded. This lack of funding means that many individuals like my father live unaware of the ticking time bomb in their arteries. Especially now that the current U.S administration has cut funding for research, it is critical that this issue gets the federal grants it needs.

The American Heart Association states that South Asians are four times more likely to suffer from heart disease than the general population. Despite this alarming statistic, federal funding for research tailored specifically to South Asians is astonishingly scarce. Comprehensive research is crucial to understand the unique genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to this community's increased risk.

We need increased federal funding to focus on these studies and on awareness through the AHA, which could lead to prevention strategies, early detection methods, and treatments specifically effective for South Asians. Most importantly, it would lead to South Asians actually knowing their predisposition. Ensuring a bolstered prevention initiative will advance our understanding and directly save lives, sparing countless families from unforeseen tragedies.

Join me in calling on the U.S. Congress and healthcare policymakers to allocate more funds to support South Asian heart disease prevention. Our lives, and the lives of future generations, not just South Asians, depend on it. Sign and share this petition today to drive change that can save lives.