Heart Disease in Hispanic Women

The Hispanic Paradox

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the United
States. Awareness about heart disease among women overall has been increasing over
the years. A recent survey conducted by the American Heart Association found that 62%
of Caucasian women but only 34% of Hispanic women were aware that heart disease is
their greatest health threat. (Mosca, Circulation 2006) Previously it was thought that
Hispanic women had a lower risk of heart disease, but recent studies have shown that
Hispanic women develop heart disease risk factors ten years earlier than Caucasian
women. (Teeters, 2007) Little data is available regarding CVD preventive measures
specific to the Hispanic/Latino population because very few trials have been conducted in
this group alone. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently reported that
Hispanics are 38% less likely than non-Hispanics to have visited their doctor within the
past year and more than 25% of Hispanics have never had their cholesterol checked.
Hispanic women face several barriers, which may prevent access to appropriate
cardiovascular screenings:
• Lack of awareness
• Decreased recognition of the value of preventive screenings
• Lack of access to culturally sensitive information
•Language barriers
• Financial constraints/lack of insurance (33% uninsured)
•Lack of transportation
•Reliance on community health centers and clinics

Scope of the Problem

The Hispanic/Latino (Cuban, Central American, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South
American, Dominican, and Spanish ancestry) population is very diverse and is the fastest
growing minority group in the United States.

The following are modifiable risk factors for heart disease in the Hispanic population:
• Diabetes-according to the NIH, Hispanics are almost twice as likely as whites to
have diabetes
• Excess weight and obesity-according to the NIH, almost 83% of mid-life Hispanic
women are overweight or obese
• The Metabolic Syndrome
• Inactivity-almost 60% of Hispanic women report that they do not exercise
regularly
• Pre-hypertension-32% of Hispanic women in their early and mid fifties have pre-
hypertension
•Hypertension-more than 20% of Hispanic women have high blood pressure
•Depression-Hispanic women have the highest lifetime prevalence of depression
• Smoking-approximately 11% of Hispanic women over the age of 18 smoke
•High Cholesterol-Hispanic women tend to have lower HDL cholesterol levels and
higher triglyceride levels
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Women are more likely to experience prodromal “warning” symptoms days to weeks
preceding a heart attack. These symptoms include: chest discomfort, SOB, fatigue,
palpitations, anxiety, nausea/indigestion, sleep disturbances, change in appetite, visual
disturbances, and changes in thought processes. The most common prodromal symptoms
experienced by Hispanic women include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. In
addition, women often exhibit atypical symptoms when presenting with a heart attack. In
a recent study by McSweeney, et.al presented at an American Heart Association meeting,
the most frequent acute symptoms in Hispanic women were shortness of breath,
discomfort in chest/back/shoulder blades, weakness, fatigue and arm weakness/heaviness.

Latino/Hispanic Heart Health Online Resources:

Latino Nutrition Coalition: www.latinonutrition.org
Go Red for Women:
http://www.goredforwomen.org/ OR http://goredcorazon.org/enes/
Heart Truth for Latinas: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth OR
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/espanol.htm
Heart Healthy Latino Recipes (Platillos Latinos):
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/sp_recip.pdf
Bi-lingual Booklets on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health
Heartstrong En Espanol www.heart-strong.com

References
Mosca, L, et.al. National Study of Women’s Awareness, Preventive Action, and Barriers
to Cardiovascular Health. Circulation. 2006; 113: 525-534.

Teeters, J, et.al. Hispanic women at higher risk for heart disease. Abstract P327.
American Heart Association Meeting, 2007.

New Book “Take Charge: A Women’s Guide to a Healthier Heart” release date Feb
2009. For more information please visit http://heart-strong.com/Bookstore.html