A new study has found that Latinos actually have similar rates of heart disease as whites, contrary to the long-standing “Latino paradox.”
“Latino Paradox” Does Not Exist
Several studies have examined the discrepancy between high rates of diabetes and obesity and lower rates of heart disease and death among Latinos in the U.S. This raises the question of whether Latino immigrants decreased rates of heart disease by as many as 40 percent and by 14 percent for death rates.When U.S.-born Latinos were compared, there was little difference between the two groups and no signs of a paradox. Latino immigrants might have heart health benefit from lifestyle changes and healthier food choices prior to their migration to the U.S., which could play a role in their longevity and lower mortality.It is noted that immigrants also experience economic and educational inequalities, added stress and social isolation after moving to the U.S.The study looked at the interracial component of the Latinos who migrated to the U.S. After adjusting for skin tone and educational level, Hispanics are not much more likely to develop a cardiovascular disease than non-Hispanic whites.The researchers focused on the outcomes of the Multiethnic Cohort study that started in 1993. They could compare the health outcomes of 72,748 Latinos with between 5 percent and 7 percent of theirnon-Hispanic white, 75,514 black adults and of 24,256 Asians aged 45 to 75.”One of the things we found was as charted by time since immigration, there was a decrease in mortality with less and less time since immigration,” Gloria Coronado, lead author of this study, and principal investigator at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, told Fox. “Since we didn’t see a Latino paradox, it could be that those who are actually immigrating and coming to the U.S. are the healthiest individuals and actually are contributing to a healthier population that we’re observing.”
In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence to suggest that Latinos may not be as protected from heart disease as previously thought. A new large study has now confirmed this, finding that Latinos actually have a higher risk of developing heart disease than whites.
The study, which was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, followed over 6,000 adults for a period of 20 years. The findings showed that Latinos were 36% more likely to develop heart disease than whites, even after taking into account factors such as income, education, and lifestyle.
This is a significant finding, as it challenges the so-called “Latino paradox” – the idea that Latinos are somehow immune to heart disease despite typically having poorer health outcomes. The new study suggests that this may not be the case, and that Latinos may in fact be at higher risk for developing heart disease.
This is important information for both doctors and patients, as it may help to improve prevention and treatment efforts for this population. Latinos should be aware of their increased risk, and doctors should be sure to screen them appropriately. With this new information, we can begin to close the gap in heart health disparities between Latinos and whites.
