Researchers from the Sax Institute have found three key risk factors for Chinese Australians when it comes to cardiovascular disease.”
The researchers studied more than a quarter of a million people over the age of 45 in the first comprehensive examination of cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese, mixed Chinese and non-Chinese Australians as part of the Institute's study.
The results showed diabetes, smoking and lack of movement were three health factors that affected millions - with Chinese community members over-represented.
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Kai Jin is undertaking a PhD into risks to cardio vascular health among those with Chinese heritage.
"For the last few years there is an increasing number of Chinese patients coming in to the hospital to have open heart surgery," she said.
Together with fellow researchers at the Sax Institute in Australia, she set out to discover why.
They found Chinese Australians have a 25 per cent higher prevalence of diabetes, a 22 per cent higher prevalence of smoking and are 45 per cent more likely to be inactive than those from a non-Chinese background.
The study also found Australians with only one Chinese parent had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and had a higher risk of developing it.
Dietician Tammy Choi's own Chinese background sparked her interest in researching the incidence of diabetes in the Chinese community.
She said there was a greater genetic risk among the Chinese community of developing Type 2 diabetes.
"Having a Chinese mum or a Chinese dad actually gives them that gene and if they are not being too careful about their diet that actually puts them at a very high risk," Ms Choi said.
Regardless of culture or ethnicity, a factor that's a health risk to everyone is smoking.
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The study found two-thirds of Australians who smoke beyond the age of 45 will die because of their habit.
But health researchers and professionals like Ms Choi say mainstream risk awareness campaigns don't always translate.
"A lot of the Chinese Australians are not liking our way of doing diabetes education here in a translated way so a lot of them have stopped coming to us, they find it is not helpful for them to manage their condition," she said.
Ms Jin said members of the Chinese community are therefore less likely to be aware of what can damage their heart, or recognise events like heart attacks.
"The consequence is they are delayed in the treatment and diagnosis of heart disease so the time they get to the hospital they will be sick," she said.
And the consequence of that can be fatal.
Kerry Doyle is the Chief Executive of the Heart Foundation in NSW, which distributes Chinese language brochures and engages with the community to ensure access to health care.
"Now that we know that there is a complex interplay between genetics and environment, that can point the way forward to us for different messages, more research, more targeted work with health professionals," she said.
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