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Longitudinal cohort · 2021–2030
The Mini Framingham of South Asia
Reimagining heart health in Pakistan, studying 2,000 asymptomatic adults through advanced imaging, laboratory science and genomics to uncover the hidden drivers of cardiovascular disease and transform preventive healthcare in Pakistan and beyond.
Generating local evidence · Informing better care · Improving lives
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News & events
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What we do
Understanding the roots of heart disease before symptoms appear
PAK-SEHAT is a prospective cohort of 2,000 healthy volunteers with no known cardiovascular risk factors, recruited from eight centres across all four provinces and Islamabad by multistage cluster sampling, provincially representative by population proportion to size.
Every participant completed a baseline questionnaire, blood work, carotid intima-media thickness and coronary CT angiography. A DNA biobank supports whole exome sequencing on 1,550 samples, opening genetic association work on variants specific to South Asian populations.
Together these measurements build the foundation for prevention, early detection and tailored intervention for millions of Pakistanis.
National dissemination plan
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Presented at
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Our journey
The PAK-SEHAT journey, 2021 to date
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Why PAK-SEHAT
South Asians develop disease earlier, and the excess is unexplained
Populations in South Asia as a whole are different, and Pakistanis in particular are unique in genetic make-up, metabolic profile, dietary pattern, lifestyle and environmental exposures. Coronary disease frequently presents at younger ages, and Pakistan carries among the highest burdens of premature cardiovascular disease, yet evidence about coronary plaque in asymptomatic Pakistanis is scarce.
Beyond traditional risk factors
High rates of hypertension, diabetes and obesity only partly explain Pakistan's high ASCVD burden, pointing to the important role of lifestyle and genetics.
Sources
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Featured evidence
Explore the evidence →43%
Baseline finding
Hypertensive at baseline
A substantial proportion of apparently healthy participants had hypertension, highlighting the hidden burden of cardiovascular risk in Pakistan.
1 in 12
Baseline finding
Had a coronary calcium score above 100
Advanced coronary imaging revealed a significant burden of subclinical atherosclerosis among adults without known cardiovascular disease.
77%
Baseline finding
Carried suboptimal LDL cholesterol
Most men and women also fell outside the optimal HDL range, revealing a widespread burden of lipid-related cardiovascular risk.
How we work
One cohort, measured three times over five years
One cohort. Three timepoints. Five years of insights.
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Inclusion criteria
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Endpoints
Primary. Prevalence, incidence and severity of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, stratified by age and gender.
Secondary. Five-year rate of major adverse cardiovascular events.
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Data collection process
A comprehensive, standardised protocol across every site
The same measurement sequence is followed at every centre, from enrolment questionnaire through laboratory work, advanced imaging and long-term outcome ascertainment, so results are directly comparable across provinces and study waves.
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ENROLMENT TO LABORATORY, IMAGING AND FOLLOW-UP.
Where we work
Eight centres, selected for clinical and imaging excellence
Nationwide recruitment across all four provinces and Islamabad, creating the geographic breadth needed to map cardiovascular risk across Pakistan.
Recruitment siteSample sizeCity / province
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Site profiles & investigators
View directory →
Baseline findings
In a cohort recruited as healthy, risk was already present
Uncovering risk in the asymptomatic
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Traditional cardiovascular risk factors
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Source: Distribution of Traditional Cardiovascular Risk
Explore the evidence →Leadership & governance
Principal investigators and regional stewards
Regional investigators
Regional investigator
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Project operations and research team
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Study partners
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Resource hub
Publications & scientific outputs
Publications in scientific journals
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GALLERY
Investigator meetings and site activity
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Participant & public portal
What is prevention?
Preventing and controlling chronic disease helps people to live longer and healthier lives.
There is high-quality evidence that prevention of chronic disease is effective and cost-effective, and that these impacts can be influential at a population level.
What are the benefits of prevention for health and well-being?
Preventing chronic disease helps people to lead their best possible life, all through their life. It avoids strain on the health budget and communities, and increases equity for populations who experience higher levels of chronic disease.
