Abstract TH898: Cardiovascular Health by Life's Essential 8 in Southeast Asian Adults in the United States

Background: Cardiovascular disease burden and risk factors have been shown to differ across Asian American subgroups, with notably high prevalence of elevated cholesterol and diabetes in Southeast Asians. Cardiovascular health (CVH) and its associations with demographic and sociocultural factors in Southeast Asians in the US are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that lower socioeconomic position, greater psychological stressors, and differences in sociocultural beliefs in Southeast Asians would be associated with lower CVH. Methods: Adults who self-identified as Southeast Asian were surveyed with standardized, validated questionnaires. CVH was assessed by calculating the composite LE8 score as per the AHA guidelines. The association of LE8 score with demographic, social, psychological, and cultural beliefs was evaluated with the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Results: Of 34 Southeast Asian adults surveyed (n=22 women, n=12 men, mean age 43 years, SD 15. 8 years), the average LE8 score was 82. 3 (SD 12. 2). The most suboptimal LE8 component scores were BMI (mean 73, SD 30) and blood glucose (mean 69. 2, SD 33. 9). The most optimal LE8 component score was nicotine avoidance (mean score 94. 6, SD 18. 9). Overall, a lower LE8 score was significantly associated with birth outside the United States, education attainment lower than a Bachelor's, annual household income lower than 75, 000, and less symptoms of anxiety (p<0. 01 all). Of note, strength of cultural beliefs was not significantly associated with a higher LE8 score. Conclusions: This pilot study is the first to characterize CVH in Southeast Asians in association with demographic, sociocultural, and psychological factors. Preliminary data highlights various factors that could contribute to a higher LE8 score in this population, such as nicotine avoidance, more physical activity, and healthcare-seeking behaviors.