Behaviors and Risks for Cardiovascular Disease Among Muslim Women in the United States

Cardiovascular Health and Disease in the Pakistani American Population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This narrative review seeks to elucidate clinical and social factors influencing cardiovascular health, explore the challenges and potential solutions for enhancing cardiovascular health, and identify areas where further research is needed to better understand cardiovascular issues in native and American Pakistani populations.

RECENT FINDINGS

The prevalence of cardiometabolic disease is high not only in Pakistan but also among its global diaspora. This situation is further complicated by the inadequacy of current cardiovascular risk assessment tools, which often fall short of accurately gauging the risk among Pakistani individuals, underscoring the urgent need for more tailored and effective assessment methodologies. Moreover, social determinants play a crucial role in shaping cardiovascular health. The burden of cardiovascular disease and upstream risk factors is high among American Pakistani individuals. Future research is needed to better understand the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease among Pakistani individuals.

Islamic fasting: cardiovascular disease perspective

INTRODUCTION

Ramadan is a month of obligatory fasting observed by the majority of 2 billion Muslims living around the globe. The guidelines for 'risk-free' fasting exist for chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, but recommendations for cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients are deficient due to the paucity of literature.

AREAS COVERED

Databases were screened to find relevant studies for an evidence-based consensus regarding the risk stratification and management of CVD. Using practical guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), we categorized patients into low-, moderate-, and high-risk categories and proposed a pre-Ramadan checklist for the assessment of cardiac patients before fasting. Regular moderate-intensity exercise is recommended for most cardiac patients, which has been demonstrated to provide an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect that improves immune function.

EXPERT OPINION

In Ramadan, many physiological changes occur during fasting, which brings about a balanced metabolic homeostasis of the body. In addition, Ramadan fasting is a nonpharmacologic means of decreasing CV risk factors. As Islam exempts Muslims from fasting if they are unwell; therefore, patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS), advanced heart failure (HF), recent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or cardiac surgery should avoid fasting.

Physical Activity Programming Advertised on Websites of U.S. Islamic Centers: A Content Analysis

Previous research has found churches to be effective at delivering physical activity (PA) programs to their congregants. Mosques, however, have not been extensively studied. Therefore, we quantified U.S. Islamic centers' advertisement of PA programming and examined their programming characteristics. We conducted a content analysis of the websites of 773 eligible Islamic centers of which 206 centers in 32 states advertised PA programming. We categorized PA by program type: camping, fitness classes, sports, youth programs, and irregular offerings. We calculated descriptive statistics by program type for specific activity, frequency/duration/volume, participant/instructor sex, and instructor religion. Youth group (44%) and sports (23%) programs were most and least frequently advertised, respectively. Most centers (66%) that posted information on PA programming advertised only one program type. Men and Muslims taught most activities. Most activities-except for fitness classes-were advertised to a male audience. Islamic centers should offer and advertise additional PA programming-especially for women-and better utilize their websites for promoting such programming. Individual Islamic centers and Islamic- and non-religion based public health agencies can utilize our findings to fashion future PA offerings.