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Cardiovascular disease risk factors in Korean American elderly

M T Kim1, H S Juon, M N Hill

  • 1Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, USA.

Western Journal of Nursing Research
|April 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are leading cardiovascular disease risk factors in Korean American elderly. Many in this population have multiple risk factors, requiring targeted health interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health challenge, particularly among aging populations.
  • Korean Americans represent a growing demographic in the United States, with unique health considerations.
  • Understanding CVD risk factors within specific ethnic and age groups is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of key cardiovascular disease risk factors in Korean American elderly.
  • To identify the most common individual and combined risk factors within this population.
  • To inform the development of culturally tailored interventions for CVD prevention.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted with 205 Korean American elderly individuals (75 males, 130 females) aged 60-89 years in Maryland.
  • Six major cardiovascular disease risk factors were assessed: high blood pressure, current smoking, high blood cholesterol, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes.
  • Data analysis focused on prevalence rates and the co-occurrence of multiple risk factors.

Main Results:

  • High blood pressure was the most prevalent risk factor (71%), followed by high blood cholesterol (53%) and overweight (43%).
  • Sedentary lifestyle (24%), diabetes (18%), and smoking (7%) were less common but still significant.
  • A substantial proportion (two thirds) of participants exhibited multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors, with the combination of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and overweight being most frequent (62%).

Conclusions:

  • High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and being overweight are critical cardiovascular disease risk factors among Korean American elderly.
  • The high prevalence of multiple risk factors underscores the need for comprehensive and culturally sensitive prevention programs.
  • Culturally relevant strategies are essential to effectively reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease risk in this demographic.

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