UNITED SIKHS Hypertension Awareness Program

Highlights High Risk For Cardiovascular Disease Among Sikh Americcans

New Jersey/New York: Data collected in the Sikh American community in 2015 revealed that 2 in 5 respondents have high blood pressure. Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss. In extreme cases, it can also cause early death.

The data was collected in partnership with NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (NYU CSAAH) as part of project REACH FAR (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health For Asian Americans). Sikh American community members from three area Gurdwaras completed 154 surveys and participated in blood pressure screenings. Data also showed that 33% of respondents had been diagnosed with high blood pressure by their doctor or other health professional. Of these, the majority currently take medication to control their high blood pressure.

UNITED SIKHS presented the data at a community event at Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, Port Reading, NJ on September 18, 2016. The event was organized to increase awareness of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in the Sikh American community. Sangat members participated in discussions on healthy lifestyle, sodium intake, and food label information. They also participated in food demonstrations on full fat vs. low fat yogurt. In addition, as part of the Keep on Track program, Sangat members had their blood pressure checked by trained volunteers.

If you or someone you know is at risk for hypertension or has high blood pressure, these three key steps can help you keep it under control:
• Cut down on salty foods
  • Cook with less salt and salty sauces
  • Choose low-sodium options. Read the nutrition facts label and the percent daily value for sodium (%dv)
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables in place of meats or starchy foods like bread and rice
• Manage your blood pressure
  • See your health professional to get your blood pressure checked. Be sure to do it regularly to keep your blood pressure under control

The Gurdwara committees and local sangat members are taking the lead on encouraging sangat members to make healthy lifestyle choices in their homes and at the Gurdwara, and will continue to work to improve health outcomes by bringing additional aspects of the REACH FAR program to the Gurdwara sahib.

REACH FAR stands for Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health for Asian Americans, and the goal of the program is to prevent cardiovascular disease in Asian Americans living in New York/New Jersey by increasing access to healthy foods and culturally tailored health coaching efforts to improve high blood pressure management. Core partners include: UNITED SIKHS; Korean Community Services; Kalusugan Coalition; the Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities (DREAM) Coalition; and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. REACH FAR is supported in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under award numbers U58DP005621 and U48DP005008 and the National Institutes of Health – National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities under award number P60MD000538. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For more information on REACH FAR, UNITED SIKHS or our other health initiatives, please contact us at ceed-usa@unitedsikhs.org or visit the REACH FAR web page at http://www.med.nyu.edu/asian-health/research/reachfar

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Issued by,
Rucha Kaur
Associate Director,
Community Education & Empowerment Directorate (CEED), UNITED SIKHS
T: 1-646-688-3525
E: ceed-usa@unitedsikhs.org | contact@unitedsikhs.org