Diverse News 2007®

Survey Reveals Hispanic Heart Health Risks

November 2007 (Medialink) -- More than 30,000 cardiologists from around the world are attending the American Heart Association’s 2007 Scientific Sessions conference in Orlando, Florida. During this conference, leading Hispanic cardiologists will also convene for the first Hispanic Cardiologist Leadership Network meeting sponsored by the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) and the American College of Cardiology.

Prior to the meeting, the Alliance revealed the results of a major national cholesterol screening campaign and survey of almost 3,000 Hispanics about Hispanic heart health.

The Results from the Cholesterol Screening Study found:

•One-in-four persons screened reported a family history of heart disease
•More than one-third of persons screened were found to have total cholesterol levels that were “borderline high” or “high” which is associated with heart disease risk
•More than half of the persons screened reported “borderline high” or “high” levels of triglycerides which is also associated with heart disease risk; and more than one-third of persons screened reported low levels of “good cholesterol”

This landmark screening effort was conducted in four cities: Chicago, Houston, Miami, and New York.

The meeting is another step in the Alliance’s Para un corazón saludable (translation: For a healthy heart) campaign, a new educational initiative funded by an educational grant from AstraZeneca aimed at improving awareness and understanding of heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol, among Hispanics.

For more information, go to: www.hispanichealth.org

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