Amber Pirzada

Prevalence of Major Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Diseases Among Hispanic/Latino Individuals of Diverse Backgrounds in the United States

CONTEXT Major cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading causes of mortality among US Hispanic and Latino individuals. Comprehensive data are limited regarding the prevalence of CVD risk factors in this population and relations of these traits to socioeconomic status (SES) and acculturation. OBJECTIVES To describe prevalence of major CVD risk factors and CVD (coronary heart disease [CHD] and stroke) among US Hispanic/Latino individuals of different backgrounds, examine relationships of SES and acculturation with CVD risk profiles and CVD, and assess cross-sectional associations of CVD risk factors with CVD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, prospective, population-based Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos including individuals of Cuban (n = 2201), Dominican (n = 1400), Mexican (n = 6232), Puerto Rican (n = 2590), Central American (n = 1634), and South American backgrounds (n = 1022) aged 18 to 74 years. Analyses involved 15,079 participants with complete data enrolled between March 2008 and June 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adverse CVD risk factors defined using national guidelines for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and smoking. Prevalence of CHD and stroke were ascertained from self-reported data. RESULTS Age-standardized prevalence of CVD risk factors varied by Hispanic/Latino background; obesity and current smoking rates were highest among Puerto Rican participants (for men, 40.9% and 34.7%; for women, 51.4% and 31.7%, respectively); hypercholesterolemia prevalence was highest among Central American men (54.9%) and Puerto Rican women (41.0%). Large proportions of participants (80% of men, 71% of women) had at least 1 risk factor. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of 3 or more risk factors was highest in Puerto Rican participants (25.0%) and significantly higher (P < .001) among participants with less education (16.1%), those who were US-born (18.5%), those who had lived in the United States 10 years or longer (15.7%), and those who preferred English (17.9%). Overall, self-reported CHD and stroke prevalence were low (4.2% and 2.0% in men; 2.4% and 1.2% in women, respectively). In multivariate-adjusted models, hypertension and smoking were directly associated with CHD in both sexes as were hypercholesterolemia and obesity in women and diabetes in men (odds ratios [ORs], 1.5-2.2). For stroke, associations were positive with hypertension in both sexes, diabetes in men, and smoking in women (ORs, 1.7-2.6). CONCLUSION Among US Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse backgrounds, a sizeable proportion of men and women had adverse major risk factors; prevalence of adverse CVD risk profiles was higher among participants with Puerto Rican background, lower SES, and higher levels of acculturation.

Risk Factors and Preventive Interventions for Alzheimer Disease: State of the Science

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have investigated risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD). However, at a recent National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference, an independent panel found insufficient evidence to support the association of any modifiable factor with risk of cognitive decline or AD. OBJECTIVE To present key findings for selected factors and AD risk that led the panel to their conclusion. DATA SOURCES An evidence report was commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It included English-language publications in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1984 through October 27, 2009. Expert presentations and public discussions were considered. STUDY SELECTION Study inclusion criteria for the evidence report were participants aged 50 years and older from general populations in developed countries; minimum sample sizes of 300 for cohort studies and 50 for randomized controlled trials; at least 2 years between exposure and outcome assessment; and use of well-accepted diagnostic criteria for AD. DATA EXTRACTION Included studies were evaluated for eligibility and data were abstracted. Quality of overall evidence for each factor was summarized as low, moderate, or high. DATA SYNTHESIS Diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia in midlife, and current tobacco use were associated with increased risk of AD, and Mediterranean-type diet, folic acid intake, low or moderate alcohol intake, cognitive activities, and physical activity were associated with decreased risk. The quality of evidence was low for all of these associations. CONCLUSION Currently, insufficient evidence exists to draw firm conclusions on the association of any modifiable factors with risk of AD.

Preventing cardiovascular disease in the 21st century: therapeutic and preventive implications of current evidence.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), remains a major cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability in the US and other Westernized societies. As a result of therapeutic and preventive measures to control the CVD/CHD epidemic, mortality has declined steadily during the last several decades with a consequent gain in life expectancy, but the 1990s witnessed a slowing of this decline. In response to these trends, a range of therapeutic regimens were developed to address adverse CVD risk factor levels and their deleterious effects. The scientific evidence regarding the efficacy, cost effectiveness, strengths, and limitations of a range of pharmacologic and lifestyle approaches to CVD prevention — both primary and secondary — are reviewed in depth. Clinical trials aimed at primary and secondary prevention of CVD have documented the efficacy and cost effectiveness of various drugs in lowering individual risk factor levels and in reducing clinical CVD events. More recently, the idea of a ‘polypill’ containing low doses of multiple drugs has generated much interest, with proponents arguing that, given the high prevalence of CVD risk factors and the effectiveness of pharmacologic interventions, such a drug combination would reduce CHD mortality by 88% if taken by all individuals aged α55 years. However, current treatments to control high BP and serum cholesterol, while effective, do not typically reduce morbidity and mortality to levels observed in low-risk individuals, i.e. those with favorable levels of all readily measured major risk factors. Rather, primary prevention of all major risk factors starting early in life is critical. Prospective population-based research has delineated multiple long-term benefits associated with low-risk status in young adulthood and middle age, i.e. markedly lower age-specific CVD and total mortality rates, increased life expectancy, lower healthcare costs, lower medication use and prevalence of chronic diseases, and higher self-reported quality of life at older ages. Unfortunately, despite declines in the prevalence of most major CVD risk factors, low-risk status remains rare among US adults. Data have also demonstrated that adverse levels of one or more major risk factors precede clinical CHD in 90% or more of all cases, undermining the assertion that major CVD risk factors account for ‘no more than 50%’ of CHD cases. Hence, while numerous treatment options exist for secondary prevention of CVD, strategies that focus on progressively increasing the proportion of low-risk individuals could greatly reduce the need for secondary prevention in the first place. Public health policies must focus on prevention of all major risk factors simultaneously, using lifestyle approaches from early ages onwards to reduce population CVD risk to endemic levels, rather than current epidemic levels.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the Hispanic/Latino Population: Lessons From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality among Hispanics/Latinos residing in the United States (US), yet despite the rapid growth of this diverse population, there has been a dearth of objective, comprehensive data on prevalence of risk factors for CVD and other chronic diseases. The Hispanic Community Health Study/SOL) is the largest and most comprehensive cohort study to date/SOL) was initiated to address this gap in knowledge. This article reviews existing research on CVD risk factors among Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse background residing in the US, compares findings from HCHS/SOL with other representative samples on prevalence of major CVD risk factors in this population, and discusses the lessons learned thus far from HCHS/SOL. Baseline findings from this study demonstrate that sizeable burdens in CVD risk exist among all major Hispanic/Latino background groups in the US. At the same time, there are marked variations in rates of individual risk factors by Hispanic/Latino background groups. Comprehensive public health policies to lower CVD risk among those who have adverse levels of one or more risk factors, and to prevent development of CVD risk factors in the small proportion free of CVD risk are urgently needed to lower the future burden of CVD among the US Hispanic/Latino population.

Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents

The pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis originates as early as childhood, and disparities in rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among children have been previously documented. This review of recently published studies on race/ethnicity-specific burden of risk factors among US children/adolescents highlights the persistent racial/ethnic variations in prevalence of CVD risk factors, with sizeable burdens of CVD risk among all race/ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic Black children had the highest rates of high blood pressure and obesity, while Mexican American children had higher diabetes rates and lowest rates of ideal fasting glucose levels. Non-Hispanic White children had lower rates of high blood pressure and higher rates of physical activity, but they experienced higher burdens of adverse lipid levels and cigarette smoking than others. Comprehensive public health policies addressing CVD risk in childhood are needed to lower the future burden of CVD.

Prevalence of Suspected Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Hispanic/Latino Individuals Differs by Heritage

BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was shown to disproportionally affect Hispanic persons. We examined the prevalence of suspected NAFLD in Hispanic/Latino persons with diverse backgrounds. METHODS We studied the prevalence of suspected NAFLD among 12,133 persons included in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We collected data on levels of aminotransferase, metabolic syndrome (defined by National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines), demographics, and health behaviors. Suspected NAFLD was defined on the basis of increased level of aminotransferase in the absence of serologic evidence for common causes of liver disease or excessive alcohol consumption. In multivariate analyses, data were adjusted for metabolic syndrome, age, acculturation, diet, physical activity, sleep, and levels of education and income. RESULTS In multivariate analysis, compared with persons of Mexican heritage, persons of Cuban (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.85), Puerto Rican (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52-0.87), and Dominican backgrounds (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.93) had lower rates of suspected NAFLD. Persons of Central American and South American heritage had a similar prevalence of suspected NAFLD compared with persons of Mexican heritage. NAFLD was less common in women than in men (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.40-0.60). Suspected NAFLD associated with metabolic syndrome and all 5 of its components. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of an analysis of a large database of health in Latino populations, we found the prevalence of suspected NAFLD among Hispanic/Latino individuals to vary by region of heritage.

Prospective Relationship of Low Cardiovascular Risk Factor Profile at Younger Ages to Ankle-Brachial Index: 39-Year Follow-Up—The Chicago Healthy Aging Study

Background Data are sparse regarding the long-term association of favorable levels of all major cardiovascular disease risk factors (RFs) (ie, low risk [LR]) with ankle-brachial index (ABI). Methods and Results In 2007–2010, the Chicago Healthy Aging Study reexamined a subset of participants aged 65 to 84 years from the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry cohort (baseline examination, 1967–1973). RF groups were defined as LR (untreated blood pressure ≤120/≤80 mm Hg, untreated serum cholesterol <200 mg/dL, body mass index <25 kg/m2, not smoking, no diabetes) or as 0 RFs, 1 RF, or 2+ RFs based on the presence of blood pressure ≥140/≥90 mm Hg or receiving treatment, serum cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL or receiving treatment, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, smoking, or diabetes. ABI at follow-up was categorized as indicating PAD present (≤0.90), as borderline PAD (0.91 to 0.99), or as normal (1.00 to 1.40). We included 1346 participants with ABI ≤1.40. After multivariable adjustment, the presence of fewer baseline RFs was associated with a lower likelihood of PAD at 39-year follow-up (P for trend is <0.001). Odds ratios (95% CIs) for PAD in persons with LR, 0 RFs, or 1 RF compared with those with 2+ RFs were 0.14 (0.05 to 0.44), 0.28 (0.13 to 0.59), and 0.33 (0.16 to 0.65), respectively; findings were similar for borderline PAD (P for trend is 0.005). The association was mainly due to baseline smoking status, cholesterol, and diabetes. Remaining free of adverse RFs or improving RF status over time was also associated with PAD. Conclusions LR profile in younger adulthood (ages 25 to 45) is associated with the lowest prevalence of PAD and borderline PAD 39 years later.

Life’s Simple 7’s Cardiovascular Health Metrics are Associated with Hispanic/Latino Neurocognitive Function: HCHS/SOL Results

BACKGROUND Hispanics/Latinos are purportedly at increased risk for neurocognitive decline and dementias. Without dementia cures, low-cost, well-tolerated public health means for mitigating neurocognitive decline are needed. OBJECTIVE We examined associations between neurocognition and cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics (Lifes Simple 7; LS7) among diverse Hispanics/Latinos. We hypothesized that higher LS7 would be associated with healthier brain function (neurocognitive performance). METHODS We used baseline (2008-2011) Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL; N = 9,623; ages 45-74 years) to examine neurocognition in relation to CVH LS7 scores. RESULTS In age and sex adjusted models, a one unit LS7 score increase (range = 0-14) was associated with higher neurocognitive function on the B-SEVLT sum (0.23 [p < 0.01]; range = 3-42), B-SEVLT recall (0.12 [p < 0.01]; range = 0-15), Word Fluency (phonemic; 0.46 (p < 0.01); range = 0-49), and Digit Symbol Substitution (0.49 (p < 0.01); range = 0-83) tests, respectively. Stated differently, a change from the minimum LS7 (0) to maximum LS7 (14) score corresponded to higher scores on verbal learning (4.62) and memory (2.24), verbal fluency (7.0), and psychomotor processing speed (12). In fully adjusted models the associations were attenuated, but remained statistically significant. Incremental adjustments indicated that Latino background and, to a lesser extent, education were primary contributors to the evinced attenuations. CONCLUSIONS We found that higher neurocognitive function was associated with better LS7 CVH metrics among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos. Associations between neurocognitive function and LS7 were strongest among two at-risk groups for neurocognitive decline and dementia, women and Hispanics/Latinos with lower education. Public health efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality may have additional neurocognitive benefits among at-risk Hispanics/Latinos.

Chicago healthy aging study: Objectives and design

Investigators in the Chicago Healthy Aging Study (CHAS) reexamined 1,395 surviving participants aged 65-84 years (28% women) from the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry (CHA) 1967-1973 cohort whose cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles were originally ascertained at ages 25-44 years. CHAS investigators reexamined 421 participants who were low-risk (LR) at baseline and 974 participants who were non-LR at baseline. LR was defined as having favorable levels of 4 major CVD risk factors: serum total cholesterol level <200 mg/dL and no use of cholesterol-lowering medication; blood pressure 120/≤80 mm Hg and no use of antihypertensive medication; no current smoking; and no history of diabetes or heart attack. While the potential of LR status in overcoming the CVD epidemic is being recognized, the long-term association of LR with objectively measured health in older age has not been examined. It is hypothesized that persons who were LR in 1967-1973 and have survived to older age will have less clinical and subclinical CVD, lower levels of inflammatory markers, and better physical performance/functioning and sleep quality. Here we describe the rationale, objectives, design, and implementation of this longitudinal epidemiologic study, compare baseline and follow-up characteristics of participants and nonparticipants, and highlight the feasibility of reexamining study participants after an extended period postbaseline with minimal interim contact.

Comparing measures of overall and central obesity in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors among US Hispanic/Latino adults

US Hispanics/Latinos have high prevalence of obesity and related comorbidities. We compared overall and central obesity measures in associations with cardiometabolic outcomes among US Hispanics/Latinos.