Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in the Hispanic community, according to the American Heart Association. These diseases account for a third of the deaths among Hispanic women and more than 27 percent of deaths among Hispanic men.
Unfortunately, Hispanics in the U.S.— particularly women — are much less aware of heart diseases than other ethnic groups, and this lack of awareness puts them at increased risk, since they are less likely to take any steps to prevent heart disease.
In addition, many Latina/Hispanic women suffer medical conditions that increase their risks of heart disease and stroke. Recent statistics from the American Heart Association indicate that:
- 22 percent of Hispanic women ages 20-74 have high blood pressure;
- Hispanic women are more likely to smoke than non-Hispanic whites - about 12.5 percent of women ages 18 and older;
- Nearly half (48 percent) of U.S. Hispanic women ages 20-74 have total blood cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher (LDL cholesterol should be below 100)
Another major risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, and the risk of diabetes for Hispanic men and women is almost twice that for non-Hispanic whites. The American Heart Association estimates that among U.S. Hispanics ages 20 and older, 8.1 percent of men and 11.4 percent of women have physician-diagnosed diabetes — compared to 5.5 percent of non-Hispanic white men and women.
Despite the high percentage of Hispanics diagnosed as diabetic, only one in four Hispanic and Latino Americans with diabetes know they are at risk for heart disease, according to the National Diabetes Education Program. Heart disease is the leading killer of Hispanic and Latino Americans with diabetes.
For diabetics, learning to control your blood pressure and cholesterol level in addition to blood sugar levels is crucial to help prevent heart disease and stroke. Other ways to live a healthier life and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke include:
- Quit smoking if you smoke;
- Lose weight if necessary to maintain a healthy weight;
- Drink alcohol in moderation;
- Exercise regularly
- Control or delay the onset of diabetes