This research is Trending!
September 17, 2026Circulation
State of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Hispanic/Latino Adults in the United States: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Why the study?
Cardiovascular disease became the leading cause of death among Hispanic individuals in the United States in 2022, alongside widening cardiometabolic disparities across heterogeneous Hispanic heritage groups.
Population
Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States
Design
American Heart Association scientific statement
Key result
Hispanic adults in the United States face widening disparities in cardiometabolic risk factors, making cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death for this population in 2022.
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Key expert perspectives
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“Hispanic populations in the U.S. are incredibly diverse even within their own communities with differences in genetic ancestry, language, cultural traditions and social experiences that can significantly influence cardiovascular health. Yet Hispanic people remain underrepresented overall in the research that guides prevention and treatment strategies. More detailed data collection and reporting across Hispanic heritage backgrounds will be essential to better understand community-specific risks, strengths and healthcare needs. Without better representation and more detailed data, we risk overlooking important differences that can help us improve care and save lives.”
“Cardiovascular disease has replaced cancer as the leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the U.S. Hispanic people experience health risk factors at younger ages than other populations and they face many social conditions that influence health, including access to care, language services, healthy foods and safe places to be physically active. The statement highlights the urgent need for culturally relevant prevention strategies, equitable access to care and greater representation of Hispanic populations in cardiovascular research.”
Overview
Mandates heritage-specific screening and interventions for Hispanic adults; challenges the Hispanic paradox as an oversimplification requiring disaggregated data.
Key Points
- To review the current epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and stroke among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States and identify clinical, genetic, and structural targets to achieve equitable cardiovascular health.
- Synthesized contemporary epidemiological literature, mortality trends, and clinical evidence on cardiovascular disease and stroke across diverse U.S. Hispanic/Latino subpopulations.
- Evaluated the contribution of cardiometabolic risk factors, social determinants of health, and heritage-specific variation to cardiovascular outcomes.
- Cardiovascular disease became the leading cause of death among Hispanic individuals in the United States in 2022, compounded by a high burden of diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
- The historical 'Hispanic paradox'—lower cardiovascular mortality despite higher risk profile—is an oversimplification that does not apply uniformly across specific heritage groups, sexes, or disease phenotypes.
- Widening disparities in hypertension control and metabolic conditions demonstrate significant heterogeneity across heritage groups, emphasizing the need for disaggregated data collection and culturally tailored interventions.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States
This AHA scientific statement highlights the growing burden of cardiovascular disease and widening risk factor disparities among diverse Hispanic/Latino populations in the US, emphasizing the need for disaggregated data and culturally tailored interventions.
Trending Research#6 this week
This AHA scientific statement highlights that cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in Hispanic/Latino adults, drawing widespread media attention and calls for culturally tailored prevention.
Social attention
80
Preprint velocity
0
News coverage
88
Conference
0
Expert commentary
0
Cite This Study
Contreras et al. (2026) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease and stroke. Hispanic adults in the United States face widening disparities in cardiometabolic risk factors, making cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death for this population in 2022.