Research has found that Latino-Americans have better blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels compared to any other racial and ethnic group in the United States.
The study, which analyzed data from 16,000 Latino-American adults, found that 5% of Latino-Americans met six of the seven heart-healthy goals delineated by the American Heart Association, which is higher than the national average of less than 4%. Also, about 53% have the ideal blood pressure level, which is 22% higher than the national average.
“We found remarkable variability in cardiovascular health rates among Latino ethnicities that underscores the importance of understanding the unique cardiovascular health characteristics of this culturally diverse and increasingly important population in the United States,” says Hector Gonzales, the study’s lead author and Associate Professor in the department of Family Medicine and Public Health at Wayne State University.
The report points out that while Latino-Americans engage in more physical activity and refrain more from smoking, they still have challenges with maintaining a heart-healthy diet and weight.
“Clinicians now have more data to understand the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanic/Latino communities,” says Dr. Greg Talavera, Professor in the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University.
Recent Comments