Cardiovascular Disease in Hispanics/Latinos in the United States

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the US and Western world.
• CVD is the second leading cause of death for Hispanics/Latinos, behind cancer.
• Despite a worse risk factor profile, some CVD prevalence and mortality rates are lower in Latinos compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a state-of-the-science review of CVD among Latinos.
• To examine epidemiological evidence, risk factor prevalence, and data quality.
• To explore the generalizability of risk models, the "Hispanic paradox," and psychosocial/sociocultural factors in CVD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of epidemiological studies on CVD in Latino populations.
• Analysis of risk factor prevalence and disparities.
• Evaluation of current data breadth and quality.

Main Results:

• Latino populations exhibit a complex CVD profile with higher risk factors but sometimes lower prevalence/mortality than NHWs.
• Existing CVD risk models may not be fully generalizable to Latino populations.
• The "Hispanic paradox" warrants further investigation in the context of CVD.

Conclusions:

• Greater understanding of CVD in Latinos is crucial for accurate risk assessment and targeted interventions.
• Addressing psychosocial and sociocultural factors is essential for CVD prevention in this demographic.
• Future research should focus on refining risk models and understanding resilience factors within Latino communities.