State of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Hispanic/Latino Adults in the United States: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease became the leading cause of death among Hispanic individuals in the United States in 2022. Hispanic adults experience a disproportionate burden of cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Hispanic populations are highly heterogeneous, with substantial variations in genetic ancestry and sociocultural influences that shape cardiovascular disease risk and outcomes. The "Hispanic paradox," describing lower cardiovascular disease mortality despite higher risk factor burden, is increasingly recognized as an oversimplification that does not apply uniformly across Hispanic heritage groups, sexes, or disease types. Disaggregated data reveal substantial differences in risk profiles and disease burden among Hispanic heritage groups, emphasizing the limitations of treating this population as a monolithic unit. Recent evidence demonstrates widening disparities in hypertension control, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic diseases among Hispanic populations, threatening this prior mortality advantage. Advancing cardiovascular and equitable health will require developing a deeper understanding of the unique drivers of cardiovascular disease within diverse Hispanic communities, addressing barriers such as language and insurance access, and implementing culturally tailored interventions and policies. This scientific statement summarizes current cardiovascular disease epidemiology in Hispanic populations, emphasizing heritage group variation and social and structural determinants of health, and presents strategies to improve prevention and healthcare delivery. Key priorities for advancing cardiovascular health in Hispanic adults include expanding disaggregated data collection, increasing representation in research, and ensuring equitable implementation of precision medicine approaches, including genomics, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence, while addressing environmental exposures, psychosocial stressors, and policy-related drivers of risk in order to achieve the American Heart Association's 2028 Impact Goals to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.