Avoiding the looming Latino/Hispanic cardiovascular health crisis: a call to action.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, Latinos/Hispanics. CVD risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes are prevalent in Latinos/Hispanics at alarming rates. It is therefore imperative to understand this population's risk of CVD and the most effective and culturally sensitive treatment methods.


OBJECTIVE
To review recent findings on the prevalence of CVD, CVD risk factors, and related illnesses in the US Latino/Hispanic population, and discuss gaps in the current knowledge. To summon a call for greater action on the part of governmental agencies, pharmaceutical companies, academia, industry media, professional and community organizations to address the escalating health problem of CVD and related illnesses, such as diabetes, in the Latino/Hispanic population.


METHODS
An extensive PubMed and Internet literature search for studies published from January 1995 to July 2005 was conducted, using a combination of search terms (cardiovascular disease, CVD, Latino, Hispanic, prevention, guidelines, clinical trials, interventions).


METHODS
Studies meeting initial search criteria were distilled using the date of publication, study population size, and specific relevance to the topic being reviewed.


METHODS
Data validity was assessed based on the quality of the source (large sample size, government agencies, major publications) and a consensus of the authors on perceived validity.


RESULTS
The review found limitations in current research as well as treatment methods and options for Latinos/Hispanics at risk for developing CVD and related illnesses.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to limitations in current data and trials and public health concern, additional research needs to be conducted to fully determine the best predictors of CVD and diabetes in Latino/Hispanic patients. A combined effort on the part of health-influencing and health-governing bodies is needed on all levels in order to address the CVD problem in the Latino/Hispanic population.
Davidson
Jaime A
JA
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA. jdavidson@medicalcitydallas.com
Kannel
William B
WB
Lopez-Candales
Angel
A
Morales
Leo
L
Moreno
Pedro R
PR
Ovalle
Fernando
F
Rodriguez
Carlos Jose
CJ
Rodbard
Helena W
HW
Rosenson
Robert S
RS
Stern
Michael
M
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology