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South Asian Resources - Healthy Hearts begin at Home

SOUTH ASIAN RESOURCES
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recognizes that individual and social risk factors affect the life-long heart health of Canadians. Research has shown that people of South Asian descent are more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes and are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke than the general population. The Foundation has translated and culturally adapted some resources to help you understand the risk factors and warning signs for heart disease and stroke.

Amitabh Bachchan - Unforgettable Tour Interview for Heart and Stroke Foundation

During the press conference for his Unforgettable Tour in July 2008, South Asian film star Amitabh Bachchan was visibly moved by the personal story of Kunal Chopra who spoke of his difficult journey of recovery from stroke.  South Asians have a three to five fold increase risk of heart attack and death from cardiovascular disease compared to other ethnic populations. Mr. Bachchan kindly agreed to do this video for the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help raise awareness of these risks to the South Asian community. Watch the video.


Learning CPR  is something the whole family should do

Please see our full English and French sections for further resources.

Heart and Stroke Foundation Resources
Brochures

Taking Control: Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke BrochureTaking Control: Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
This brochure covers the risk factors for heart disease and stroke (1-2 pages for each risk factor), warning signs for heart attack and stroke, as well as the importance of being trained in CPR/AED.

Hindi (1.50 MB)
Punjabi (1.53 MB)
Tamil (568 KB)
Urdu (8.37 MB)

Call 1-888-HSF-INFO (1-888-473-4636) for a free copy of this publication. You may also ask for health information on lifestyle, stroke and heart disease, or how you can offer support in your community.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation thanks Astra Zeneca for providing the funds to make the development of this resource possible.

This booklet has been independently researched, written and reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and is based on scientific evidence. Acceptance of financial support by the Heart and Stroke Foundation does not constitute an endorsement.


Living with cholesterol - PunjabiLiving with cholesterol: Cholesterol and healthy living
Know and control your cholesterol levels. If you have been diagnosed with, or are at increased risk for high blood cholesterol, this resource will help you manage it.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is an important first step toward achieving and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. In this booklet, we’ll outline lifestyle changes that can help you manage your cholesterol levels and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Punjabi (PDF, 3,537 KB)
English (PDF, 854 KB).
French (PDF, 1,854 KB)

 

Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control
Do you know your numbers?

Get your blood pressure under control - PunjabiAlmost half of people with high blood pressure do not know they have it. High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer” because there are usually no symptoms. High blood pressure can double or even triple your risk of heart disease or stroke and increase your risk of kidney disease. Whether you are young or old, male or female, have your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional at least once every two years.

Know and control your blood pressure. If you have been diagnosed with, or are at increased risk for, high blood pressure (hypertension) then this resource will help you manage it.

Punjabi (PDF, 4,536 KB]
English (PDF,968 KB) 
French (PDF, 873 KB)

 

Healthy eating, South Indian CuisineHealthy Eating for South Asians outlines simple steps to making healthy choices by adapting traditional South Asian cooking to be more heart healthy.

Healthy Eating fact sheets specific to Bengali, North Indian, South Indian, Sri Lankan, Punjabi, Pakistani & Gujurati cuisine provide food preparation examples & heart-healthy versions of traditional recipes. 


Heart-Healthy Recipes

Want to try some heart-healthy versions of traditional South Asian recipes? Our dietitians have developed recipes with lower fat and sodium content but they are still delicious and easy to prepare.

Heart- Healthy South Asian Recipes

 

Public Service Announcements
Public Service Announcements - VideosThe following television and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) address the largest concerns affecting the heart health of the South Asian communities. Available in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Urdu, the PSA topics are CPR, Ethnicity Factors, Healthy Eating, Heart Attack Warning Signs and Physical Activity.

Watch the Videos:
English versions
Hindi versions
Punjabi versions
Tamil versions
Urdu versions

Listen to the radio:

English Hindi Punjabi Tamil Urdu
CPR 
Ethnicity Factors
Healthy Eating
Heart Attack Warning Signs 
Physical Activity
CPR 
Ethnicity Factors
Healthy Eating
Heart Attack Warning Signs 
Physical Activity
CPR 
Ethnicity Factors
Healthy Eating
Heart Attack Warning Signs 
Physical Activity
CPR 
Ethnicity Factors
Healthy Eating
Heart Attack Warning Signs 
Physical Activity
CPR 
Ethnicity Factors
Healthy Eating
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Physical Activity

Videos

The Story of Every Heart

Featuring the original serial, Dil Dil Ki Kahani, this video follows the story of Raj and his family as they learn about their risk factors and warning signs for heart disease and stroke. People of South Asian descent are at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke, at a much younger age, than the general population. This video covers the importance of healthy eating, physical activity and being smoke free to prevent heart disease and stroke. Choose from 5 languages; Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu or English. Running time: 23 minutes.

Watch the video:

Hindi
Punjabi
Urdu
Tamil
English

Ashok’s Story

This video tells  the true story of Ashok, a South Asian family man as he prepares for, undergoes and recovers from, triple bypass surgery at only 39 years of age. It features actual footage from his cardiac surgery. English only. Running time: 14 minutes.

Ashok’s Story (English)

 

Ashok's Story
(Muslim Community version with introduction by Imam Yusuf Badat and Imam Habeeb Alli)

The Warning Signs of Stroke video covers the 5 signs of stroke and how to respond. The video is 30 seconds in length.

Watch the video:

Hindi Version
Punjabi Version
Tamil Version
Urdu Version

Interactive e-tools

Heart & Stroke Action plans designed to help you manage your health.  With these interactive and easy-to-use e-tools, you'll be able to set and achieve goals to manage your blood pressure or achieve a healthy weight and keep track of important details such as medications and appointments. The first step is to take the assessment in order to be directed to the plan that's right for you. The assessment is based on well-researched science. It's free, confidential and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

My Blood Pressure Action PlanMy Blood Pressure Action Plan
Interactive tools to track your blood pressure readings, set goals, access useful information and more. Take the assessment


My Healthy Weight Action PlanMy Healthy Weight Action Plan
A 12-week program developed by experts that will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Take the assessment


External Links*

Canadian Cancer Society
This web site includes information on healthy eating in Punjabi.

English
French

Canadian Diabetes Association
Just the Basics is a nutrition resource, for educators and anyone affected by diabetes, that has been adapted for the South Asian population.  It includes culturally appropriate portion guides, meal ideas, physical activity tips and healthy lifestyle choices. Additional examples of sample menus, including vegetarian options, are available.  The tool is available online or  in print, in four languages—Hindi, Punjabi, English and French. diabetes.ca

Health Canada - Canada’s Food Guide
Learning more about Canada's Food Guide will help you and your family know how much food you need, what types of foods are better for you, and the importance of physical activity in your day – translated into Punjabi, Tamil & Urdu.

English
French

Ministry of Health, Ontario – Diabetes Fact Sheets
A series of type-2 diabetes fact sheets with Information on physical activity, healthy eating, health weight, cholesterol and other issues in Hindi, Tamil & Urdu.

English
French

Smoke Free Ontario – Quit You Have It in You!
Provides Quit information Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Urdu

English
French

Toronto Public Health - TransFat Fact Sheets
Two fact sheets developed by Toronto Public Health and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, covering 5 Things You Should Know about TF and 5 Ways to Avoid it, produced in Tamil & Urdu.

English
French

Toronto West Stroke Network – Dysphagia Booklet
A Patient and Family Education Pamphlets on Swallowing Problems after Stroke: What You Need to Know and How to Help, produced in Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu.

English
French

* The following links are provided as quality sources of information. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is not responsible for the contents of any linked Web site, or any changes or updates to such web sites. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement.

Last reviewed: March 2011