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Epidemiology of stroke in Hispanic Americans
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
Insights
Stroke death rates in US Hispanics were similar to whites for ages 45-64 but lower for those 65+. Lower blood pressure may explain these differences in stroke mortality.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- Cerebrovascular disease was a leading cause of death for US Hispanics in 1990.
- Limited epidemiological data exists for stroke in US Hispanic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize stroke occurrence and risk factors among US Hispanics.
- To inform stroke prevention strategies for this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of National Center for Health Statistics data.
- Examination of stroke occurrence patterns.
- Identification of associated risk factors.
Main Results:
- Stroke death rates were similar between Hispanics and whites aged 45-64 (1989-1991).
- Hispanics aged 65+ had substantially lower stroke death rates than whites.
- Lower blood pressure in Hispanics may contribute to observed ethnic differences in stroke mortality.
Conclusions:
- Further research, including cohort and case-control studies, is necessary.
- Continued oversampling of Hispanics in national surveys is recommended.
- Enhanced epidemiological understanding is crucial for effective stroke prevention in US Hispanics.
Background And Purpose:
In 1990 cerebrovascular disease was the fourth leading cause of death in Hispanics in the United States. However, little information has been published about the epidemiology of stroke in US Hispanic populations.
Methods:
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics were examined to characterize the pattern of stroke occurrence and risk factors among Hispanics in the United States.
Results:
In 1989 through 1991, stroke death rates were similar in Hispanics and whites aged 45 to 64 years; at ages 65 and over, Hispanics had rates that were substantially lower than those of whites. Data from national surveys suggest that the ethic differences in stroke mortality may be due in part to lower blood pressure in Hispanics than non-Hispanics.
Conclusions:
Cohort studies, well-designed case-control studies, and continued oversampling of Hispanics in national surveys are needed to further define the epidemiological patterns of stroke in US Hispanics and to guide stroke prevention efforts.