Abstract 17624: Life's Simple 7s of Cardiovascular Health Among Hispanic/Latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To estimate current prevalence of cardiovascular health among various Hispanic/Latino ethnicities. BACKGROUND: Recently, the American Heart Association established a goal to improve the cardiovascular health of Americans adults and children by 20% by 2020 based on 7 CVD risk factors or health behaviors (aka: Life’s Simple 7’s, LS7), including smoking, body mass index (BMI), exercise, cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, and diet. At present, little is known about the proportion of Hispanic/Latinos, particularly from different ethnic backgrounds, with ideal levels of these factors.

METHODS: We used data from the HCHS/SOL, ages 18-74 years (n=15,804) from Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Central or South American backgrounds, to estimate the prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health in 2008-2011. RESULTS: Very few Hispanics/Latinos met all seven ideal cardiovascular health criteria (0.06%), with fewer than 1 in 20 (5.0%) participants meeting ideal criteria on at least six LS7 indicators. Non-smoking was the most commonly achieved goal (76.6%); whereas ideal diet was the least achieved goal (2.5%). Next, a high proportion of participants had ideal levels of fasting serum glucose (68.9%), which was highest among Dominicans (73.8%) and South Americans (73.4%). Overall, a high proportion of participants had ideal blood pressure (53.4%), which was highest for Mexicans (61.5%) and South Americans (59.2%). Generally, Hispanics/Latinos had remarkably high levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) levels (51.3%). Less than one-fourth of participants had ideal BMI (23%), and those rates were consistently low across Hispanic/Latino ethnicities.

CONCLUSION: Compared to previous studies of other ethnic/racial groups (i.e., NHANES), Hispanics/Latinos from the HCHS/SOL appear to have favorably high rates of non-smoking, fasting serum glucose, ideal blood pressure, and physical activity, but lower proportions of ideal BMI and diet. More importantly, fewer than 1% of participants had all seven ideal cardiovascular health indicators. Thus, there appears to be a strong need for expanding targeted health promotion efforts among Hispanics/Latinos.