Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease in Hispanic Populations: A Review

Epidemiological studies of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors among Hispanics were examined. Hispanics as compared with Anglo Americans and blacks appear to have somewhat lower mortality rates of CHD. This suggests that Hispanics may have lifestyle patterns which reduce CHD risk in the areas of stress, diet, exercise, hypertension, and smoking. However, independent studies report that their samples of Mexican American subjects, but not Puerto Rican subjects, had higher blood lipid levels, greater rates of being overweight, and participate in less aerobic exercises as compared with same sex and aged Anglo American cohorts. By contrast, adult Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans tend to smoke less than do Anglo American cohorts, although some evidence suggests that Hispanic adolescents may smoke more than do their Anglo American peers. The CHD risk status of Hispanics is summarized and recommendations for future research and health promotion programs are made.