A recent report by the American Heart Association finds that the leading cause of death for Hispanics is cardiovascular disease.
This preventable condition afflicts 27 percent of Latino males and 31.5 percent of Latinas. More than one woman every minute dies from heart disease in the US and the rate is even higher in minority populations.
Other factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and physical inactivity all play a role in the increasing the disease’s rate in the Hispanic community.
Dr. James Zalez, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, said. “Heart disease is an illness that affects almost every Latino family, men and women alike.”
Zalez recommends a yearly checkup with blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screenings to avert a heart attack. Most heart attacks can include discomfort in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.
February is American Heart Month and the American Heart Association is using the opportunity to educate Latinos on the importance of making health choices and seeking health care.
According to Los Angeles physician, Dr. Aliza Lifshitz, “A healthy heart is a happy heart, and there are easy steps you can take to lower your chances of developing heart disease and its risk factors.”
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