Coronary heart disease risk factors among Cuban Americans

Cuban Americans, one of three major Hispanic subgroups, represent ≈4% of total US Hispanics. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death among Cuban Americans. Yet, we know very little about the risk factors of CHD. Findings from one Hispanic subgroup cannot be applicable or extrapolative to other Hispanic subgroups because each subgroup's social histories, cultural identities, health behaviors, and genetic compositions are unique. This paper reviews the existing information on Cuban-American health behavior in relation to CHD. Analyses of the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) data revealed a high prevalence of overweight, cigarette smoking, and type 2 diabetes among Cuban Americans. However, the cross-sectional nature of HHANES precludes identifying a cause-and-effect relationship. Well-designed studies are warranted to identify the lifestyle, biochemical, and emerging risk factors of CHD among Cuban Americans.