Nearly Half of American Hispanics Unaware They Have High Cholesterol

Many Hispanics have high cholesterol probably due to a mix of genes and diet. What's more surprising is the lack of awareness, treatment and control.

Hispanics are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in America. A new study has revealed that nearly half (49.3%) of Hispanics in the United States may be unaware they have high cholesterol. The researchers urged better education and treatment of the condition that can lead to heart disease.

Carlos Rodriguez, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston Salem, North Carolina and lead author of the study, said, "Many Hispanics have high cholesterol, approximately 45%, probably due to a mix of genes and diet. What’s more surprising is the lack of awareness, treatment and control. That needs to change since awareness is the first step in prevention."

High Cholesterol | Hypercholesterolemia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
High cholesterol level in blood are a risk for heart disease and stroke. They get deposited in the wall of the arteries and clog the circulation posing a threat to life.

These findings were based on data from 16,415 Hispanics, aged 18 to 75, who participated in the Hispanic Community Health Study in Texas. The overall health of the people showed 40% were obese, 25% had high blood pressure and 17% had diabetes. Those who were younger, had less income and had recently arrived in America were the least likely to have their high cholesterol under control.

The study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Source-AFP

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