South Asian Comprehensive Cardiovascular Clinic

South Asians are the fastest growing ethnic community in the U.S. In the early 2000s, researchers began noticing high rates of heart disease in South Asian communities as well as higher hospitalization and mortality rates associated with heart disease compared to other racial and ethnic groups. We recognize that unique risks require unique care.

The Christ Hospital Health Network has established the South Asian Cardiovascular Clinic (SACC) to address this important healthcare need in our community. Our specialists look for risk factors that may be missed by standard cardiovascular health assessments and provide comprehensive, personalized treatment to reduce your risk and improve your health.

Those who will benefit from the SACC program include:

Diabetics (including pre-diabetics) of South Asian ancestry
Those with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
Those who have a family history of heart disease, especially at a young age, including stroke, heart attack, angina, peripheral vascular disease, etc.
Those who have had a heart attack, chest pain, heart rhythm issues, stenting, bypass surgery, valve surgery, or pacemakers
Those of South Asian decent who are concerned about their risks for heart attack or stroke
Those who would like a second opinion

Call 513-206-1083 to schedule an appointment or schedule your new patient visit online.

Heart disease in South Asians

The facts regarding heart disease in South Asians are a cause for concern:

South Asians represent approximately 25% of the world's population but make up 60% of the world's heart disease patients.
South Asian Americans have a four times greater risk of developing heart disease 10 years earlier than the general population in America.
South Asians in the US tend to have diets that combine traditional cuisines with western food. Dietary choices have been linked to obesity and South Asians have the highest rates of obesity out of all US Asian groups. Vegetarian diets also increase the potential for vitamin B12 deficiency and its effects on heart disease.

These facts apply to both South Asian men and women.

The South Asian Cardiovascular Clinic aims to focus on the special cardiovascular needs of South Asians in our community and the surrounding region. Our expert team provides pioneering, individualized heart care and education on the prevention, detection and treatment of heart disease.

Why choose The Christ Hospital South Asian Cardiovascular Clinic

At your first appointment, you will speak to a cardiologist with special interest and training in providing culturally appropriate cardiovascular care for South Asians. This clinic is the only one of its kind in the region run by experts in the field.

Our services include:

A thorough evaluation of your cardiovascular health and risk factors
Management plans based on appropriate diet, exercise and stress management recommendations
Labs (fasting and non-fasting) and cardiac imaging
Review of family history and genetic counseling recommendations
Review of previous test results from overseas
Full review of medications
Second opinions

Your cardiovascular care plan will be customized to your individual needs using a culturally sensitive approach.

View our feature in The Christ Hospital's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Newsletter.

Listen to Dr. Santosh Menon discuss cardiovascular health disparities in South Asians on the CardiOhio podcast.