Cardiovascular Disease in Hispanics Cardiovascular Disease in Hispanics
Centers for Prevention and Control

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among US Hispanics

Just 40.7 percent of Hispanics said their blood pressure was under control. CDC and Million Hearts have developed educational resources to help Hispanics take control of their heart health.

A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than a quarter (26.1 percent) of Hispanics reported having high blood pressure, and nearly a third (30.4 percent) with high blood pressure weren’t taking medication that could reduce their risk for heart attack and stroke. Educational resources to help Hispanics take control of their heart health is available from CDC and Million Hearts, a national public-private partnership that works to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

"Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer in every racial and ethnic group in America, and Million Hearts is committed to ensuring that everyone understands their risk," said Janet Wright, M.D., executive director of Million Hearts." These new resources will help Spanish-speaking Americans calculate their risk and, more importantly, take steps to reduce it."

A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that high blood pressure among Hispanic groups is a particular concern. More than a quarter (26.1 percent) of Hispanics reported having high blood pressure, and nearly a third (30.4 percent) with high blood pressure weren’t taking medication that could reduce their risk for heart attack and stroke. Just 40.7 percent of Hispanics said their blood pressure was under control.

"Our message to Hispanics is clear: If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to get it controlled and keep it controlled," said Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH, CDC director. "Take care of your heart for yourself, and for your family."

The new educational resources provide action steps and tips:

The Four Steps for Heart Health fact sheet encourages individuals to work with their health care team to focus on the Million Hearts ABCS—Aspirin for people at risk (people who have already experienced a heart attack or certain type of stroke and their doctor has advised them to take aspirin to prevent another), Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation— to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. How to Control Your Hypertension/Learning to Control Your Sodium Intake: a Fotonovela is an illustrated booklet that includes multi-generational advice on getting high blood pressure control by reducing sodium and is designed to be integrated into community health programs. The Million Hearts website En Espanol offers guidance and tools for improving heart health, including a heart risk calculator, a journal to record blood pressure readings and track progress, and links to other resources.

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health, a non-profit science-based organization that focuses on improving the health and well-being of Hispanics, provided guidance on translation for cultural integrity during development of the materials. The Alliance will distribute the Four Steps for Heart Health fact sheet through its network of clinics and community health professionals.

"The Alliance is committed to the prevention of 1 million heart attacks and strokes by collaborating with Million Hearts to develop, promote, and distribute these new materials in the communities we serve," said Jane L. Delgado, Ph.D., M.S., president and CEO of the Alliance. "We consider this outreach a critical component of our ongoing efforts to improve the health of Hispanic communities and our work with others to secure health for all."

For additional information, visit http://espanol.millionhearts.hhs.gov.