Cardiovascular disease risk in Hispanic American women

Hispanic American women have an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examined CVD risk in a sample of immigrant Hispanic women using Framingham point scores and the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Estimator for 10-year CVD risk and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. A cross-sectional study using baseline data from a diabetes self-management intervention study in a sample of 118 Hispanic American women was conducted. Data were c ollected with interviewer-administered surveys, and HbA1C and lipid profiles were obtained through capillary finger stick blood at clinics and churches in rural counties in central North Carolina. A majority (58%) of the women had type 2 diabetes and 61% had metabolic syndrome. Using the Framingham point scores for 10-year CVD risk, 2.5% were determined to have intermediate risk, compared to 7.6% at intermediate risk and 2.5% at high risk using the ASCVD 10-year risk estimator. High rates of CVD risk factors were found among this sample of Hispanic women. Early recognition of risk, mitigation of modifiable risk factors, and effective self-care programs are needed for Hispanic women. Hispanic American women may benefit from community-based CVD educational programs that have been culturally and linguistically tailored.