High incidence of heart disease among Latinas is directly related to a higher risk for metabolic syndrome, according to a study by Dr. Fatima Rodriguez of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Voxxi reports. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of factors—high blood pressure, increased levels of blood sugar, excessive body fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels—that lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Rodriguez' study, published in Family Practice News, collected information from the health screenings of 18,000 women and complete medical histories for 7,000 women. Her findings, according to the report, include:
Researchers found an overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome for 35 percent of evaluated women; however, Rodriguez states “there was ...
A free, easy-to-read pamphlet that compares drugs for preventing heart attacks or strokes in people with stable coronary heart disease is one of six new Spanish-language publications from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that help patients compare treatments for common illnesses. The publication, Guía para pacientes que están en tratamiento de una cardiopatía coronaria estable (“ACE Inhibitors” and “ARBs” to Protect Your Heart?—A Guide for Patients Being Treated for Stable Coronary Heart Disease), summarizes the benefits and risks of medications called ACE Inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme) and ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers). These medications help reduce blood pressure in patients who often take other heart-related medications ...
Heart Disease is the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women, taking the life of one woman a minute. However, despite this heightened risk, most are still unaware of the threat to themselves and their families. The treatment of diseases like high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and high cholesterol is guided by a set of general recommendations that the American Heart Association has been publishing since 1999 as a critical “weapon” in the fight against heart disease. Recently, these official guidelines were updated to include new research information, especially with regard to heart health in women. The updated guidelines also emphasize the importance of recognizing racial and ethnic diversity and its impact on cardiovascular disease. "These recommendations underscore the ...
The American Heart Association’s bilingual heart-health movement for Latinas, Go Red Por Tu Corazón, will be returning to the 11th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards on Nov. 11, 2010, to bring the issue of heart disease – the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women – to center stage. “Too many Hispanic women are still unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. In fact, only one in three are aware of the threat to themselves and their family,” said Dr. Luz Marina Prieto, assistant professor of clinical medicine for the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism for the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. “Go Red Por Tu Corazón provides Hispanic women and their families the tools and resources needed to enjoy good heart health." Univision personality ...
A new study shows lighting up a cigarette changes a person's gene activity across the body, a possible clue as to why smoking affects overall health—from heart disease to combating infections, LiveScience reports. A research team from Australia and San Antonio, Texas, analyzed white blood cell samples of 1,240 mainly Mexican-American people, ages 16-94, who were participating in the San Antonio Family Heart Study. They found that the 297 self-identified smokers in the group were more likely to have unusual patterns of "gene expression" related to tumor development, inflammation, virus elimination, cell death and more. A gene is expressed when it codes for a protein that then instructs, or kick-starts, a process in the body. The study found cigarette smoke could alter the level ...
“The State of Latino Arizona” report highlights challenges and issues faced by the Latino community in areas such as economics, education, health, politics and the arts, and it suggests policy implications for the future. The report was led by the Arizona Latino Research Enterprise and Arizona State University (ASU). More than a dozen ASU faculty, staff and student researchers, as well as writers and researchers from the community, worked on the report over the course of the past year. Key findings are: The Arizona Latino population is young and mostly of Mexican origin.
Latino students struggle to achieve academic success relative to their Anglo and Asian peers, regardless of grade, subject matter or income level.
Latinos attained only 13 percent of bachelor’s ...
