Cardiometabolic Risk in the Latino/Hispanic Population

The Latino/Hispanic population constitutes the largest minority group in the country, accounting for 16 % of the total U.S. population. It is a heterogeneous group with several racial, biological, social, and cultural backgrounds. In general, the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity is quite elevated and imposes a tremendous challenge to the health care system. According to the recently reported baseline characteristics of Latinos/Hispanics participating in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 52 % in men and 37 % in women. The prevalence of hypertension was 27 % in men and 25 % in women; the prevalence of diabetes was 16.7 % in men and 17.2 % in women; the prevalence of obesity was 36.5 % in men and 42.6 % in women and the prevalence of smoking was 26 % in men and 15 % in women. Studies performed by the Latino Diabetes Initiative at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston have identified significant endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation in overweight young Hispanic adults with a mean of 29 years of age and parental history of type 2 diabetes as well as in normoglycemic, normotensive, non-dyslipidemic overweight Hispanic children and adolescents with a mean of 13 years of age. Thus, the Hispanic/Latino population exhibits a high cardiovascular risk and therefore, effective preventive strategies are needed to tackle the burden of frequent and significant metabolic and vascular abnormalities in this population.