People of Indian origin in the UK are four times more likely to be admitted to hospital with heart failure but are no more likely to die of the condition than white people, a study has revealed.
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that Asian patients were on an average eight years young when first admitted to hospital. They were also more likely to be male and suffer from heart disease or diabetes.
The checks covered hospital admissions and deaths from heart failure in 5,057 white patients and 336 South Asians of
Indian-origin between 1998 and 2001.
"The rate of heart failure is up to four times higher in the South Asians, yet survival rates for periods of up to two years are similar, if not better," the study stated.
The authors suggest this might be explained by heart failure among the South Asians being less advanced when they were admitted to hospital, differing causes of heart failure, or by better family support after patients were discharged.
The study conducted by a team led by Iain Squire of Leicester Royal Infirmary admitted that they lacked information on the severity of the heart disease and medication they received.