A groundbreaking study has commenced in Aotearoa, focusing on the disproportionately high rate of premature heart disease among Fijian Kiwis. Researchers aim to understand why many in this community are experiencing heart attacks and related conditions at a young age, with some fatalities occurring in their 20s.
Although Fijians make up only 2% of New Zealand’s population, they account for 20% of individuals under 40 who suffer heart attacks or angina. Alarmingly, many of these individuals are otherwise fit and healthy before being struck by heart disease.
Scientists at the University of Otago are leading the investigation, with a particular focus on the potential genetic factors contributing to the early onset of heart disease. The study is seeking participants who are under 55 years old and either have a personal or family history of premature heart disease. Over the next two years, researchers will analyze blood samples and DNA to identify any underlying genetic causes.
Dr. Pritika Narayan, a Fijian scientist at the University of Otago, is leading the study. Reflecting on her own family’s experience with heart disease, Dr. Narayan shared a personal story with 1News: “Two of my first cousins became young widows after their husbands died of cardiac arrest at home.” She noted that similar tragic stories are common within her cultural community in Wellington.
Nathan Singh, a member of the Fijian community, recounted his father’s struggles with heart disease. “He first started noticing some shortness of breath around 1987. After getting checked, they diagnosed him with angina,” Singh said. His father spent a decade on the waiting list for a quadruple heart bypass surgery, which was critical after his arteries became 99% blocked.
Singh also shared that two of his father’s brothers had heart attacks, as did his grandfather. “The surgeon told us the day before my father’s surgery that he was lucky to be alive,” he added.
Community advisory chairwoman Sandy Bhawan, who has experienced the devastating impact of heart disease firsthand, emphasized the emotional toll, saying, “Whether fatal or not, heart disease is totally devastating. I’ve had a close family member where it was fatal.”
Dr. Narayan suspects that the root of the issue may lie in a genetic trait inherited from their ancestors. This trait, which helped early Fijian populations survive famines and infectious diseases by allowing them to store fat, may now contribute to fat accumulation in the arteries. With an abundance of food in modern society, this adaptation may have become maladaptive, leading to premature heart disease.
The study officially began on Sunday in Newtown, with hopes to shed light on the underlying causes of heart disease among Fijian Kiwis and ultimately find ways to address the alarming rates of premature heart attacks in this community.
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