title: Cardiovascular risk factor variation within a Hispanic cohort: SWAN, the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hispanics have less favorable cardiovascular risk profiles relative to other groups, although little is known regarding variability in risk profiles according to country of origin. Our goal was to examine the association of cardiovascular risk factors with country of origin and acculturation in a cohort of middle-aged Hispanic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline data for participants at the New Jersey Site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).
  
  
  METHODS
  419 women, aged 42-52 years, comprising 142 non-Hispanic Whites and 277 Hispanic: Central American (n = 29), South American (n = 106), Puerto Rican (n = 56), Dominican (n = 42) and Cuban (n = 44).
  
  
  METHODS
  BMI, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome were compared using univariate and multivariable models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LDL and HDL varied significantly across Hispanic subgroups (overall P < or = .05). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was greatest in Puerto Rican women (48.2% vs 40.0%, 35.0%, 13.9% and 29.3% in Central American, South American, Dominican and Cuban women, respectively, P = .016). Central American women were least likely to smoke (P < .05 vs Puerto Rican, Cuban and South American). Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were similar across groups. Differences in lipids and metabolic syndrome were not explained by acculturation, financial strain, education, physical activity, smoking or dietary fat intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is significant heterogeneity in cardiovascular risk status among middle-aged Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American and South American women, not explained by acculturation or socioeconomic indicators. These differences may be important for targeting screening and preventive interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine 1165 Morris Park Avenue, Rousso 336, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. carol.derby@einstein.yu.edu
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Derby
authors.forename: Rachel P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wildman
authors.forename: Aileen P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: McGinn
authors.forename: Robin R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Alex J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Polotsky
authors.forename: Kavitha T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barnhart
authors.forename: Gerson
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Santoro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D002489:Central America / Q000208:ethnology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003462:Cuba / Q000208:ethnology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013020:South America / Q000208:ethnology; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL