Lifestyle Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Disease in Cubans and Cuban Americans

• Published in: Cardiology research and practice Vol. 2012; no. 2012; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Burroughs Peña, Melissa S., Patel, Dhaval, Rodríguez Leyva, Delfin, Khan, Bobby Varkey, Sperling, Laurence
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Puplishing Corporation 01-01-2012; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 2090-8016; 2090-0597
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/470705

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Cuba. Lifestyle risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Cubans have not been compared to risk factors in Cuban Americans. Articles spanning the last 20 years were reviewed. The data on Cuban Americans are largely based on the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), 1982–1984, while more recent data on epidemiological trends in Cuba are available. The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus remains greater in Cuban Americans than in Cubans. However, dietary preferences, low physical activity, and tobacco use are contributing to the rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and CHD in Cuba, putting Cubans at increased cardiovascular risk. Comprehensive national strategies for cardiovascular prevention that address these modifiable lifestyle risk factors are necessary to address the increasing threat to public health in Cuba.