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Prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases among Hispanic/Latino individuals of
Martha L Daviglus1, Gregory A Talavera, M Larissa Avilés-Santa
1Institute for Minority Health Research, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. daviglus@uic.edu
JAMA
|November 3, 2012
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are common in US Hispanic/Latino adults, particularly among Puerto Ricans, those with lower socioeconomic status (SES), and higher acculturation. These risk factors are linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality for US Hispanic and Latino individuals.
- Limited data exist on CVD risk factor prevalence and their links to socioeconomic status (SES) and acculturation in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of major CVD risk factors and CVD (coronary heart disease [CHD] and stroke) in diverse US Hispanic/Latino groups.
- To examine the associations of SES and acculturation with CVD risk profiles and CVD.
- To assess cross-sectional relationships between CVD risk factors and CVD.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, prospective, population-based study (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) of 15,079 participants aged 18-74 years.
- Included individuals of Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, and South American backgrounds.
- Defined adverse CVD risk factors (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking) using national guidelines; ascertained CHD and stroke from self-reports.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of CVD risk factors varied by background; Puerto Ricans had the highest rates of obesity and smoking.
- 80% of men and 71% of women had at least one risk factor; higher prevalence of multiple risk factors was observed in Puerto Ricans, those with less education, US-born individuals, and those preferring English.
- Hypertension and smoking were associated with CHD; hypercholesterolemia and obesity with CHD in women; diabetes with CHD in men. Hypertension and diabetes were linked to stroke in men, and smoking in women.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of US Hispanic/Latino adults have major adverse CVD risk factors.
- Adverse CVD risk profiles were more common in individuals of Puerto Rican background, lower SES, and higher acculturation.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted CVD prevention strategies in diverse Hispanic/Latino communities.
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