(LifeWire) - Hispanics with high cholesterol are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. In fact, studies have shown that if you or your family have your ethnic origins in a Spanish-speaking country, you are at an increased risk of developing high cholesterol and heart disease. Although research shows that this increased risk has a lot to do with your genes, lifestyle choices can either positively or negatively impact your personal risk.
Hispanics and Cholesterol
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), 49.9% of Mexican-American men and 50% of Mexican-American women have high or borderline high total cholesterol levels. These figures are slightly higher than those for non-Hispanic Caucasian-American men (47.9%) and women (49.7%).
The disparity between Mexican-Americans and Caucasian-Americans widens when it comes to LDL (low-density cholesterol, the "bad cholesterol") levels. According to the AHA, 39% of Mexican-American men have high LDL levels, compared to 31.7% of white men. LDL cholesterol leaves cholesterol deposits throughout the body, thus total and LDL cholesterol levels are good predictors of heart disease.
Why the Elevated Levels?
Scientists aren’t completely sure why some ethnic groups are at higher risk for elevated cholesterol and heart disease, but they are certain that both genetics and lifestyle choices play a role.
Genetics Your genes influence how your food is metabolized and how much cholesterol your body produces. Cholesterol isn’t just found in food; your liver actually creates approximately 75% of the cholesterol found in your blood. Your genetic makeup can influence how much cholesterol is created, as well as the ratio of LDL to HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the "good cholesterol"). Though researchers have not determined precisely which genes affect cholesterol production, they are making great strides in this area.
Lifestyle Scientists are certain that lifestyle choices play a role in cardiac health. Obesity, which is a risk factor for both high cholesterol and heart disease, is more common among Hispanics than whites. In fact, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that 52% of Mexican-American women and 40% of Mexican-American men are overweight. By comparison, 33% of white women and 34% of white men are overweight.
Obesity, and the associated risks, can stem from a variety of factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, diet and even socioeconomic status.
Prevention
Although you can’t control your genes, you can control your lifestyle. The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the following tips for lowering your cholesterol:
- Quit smoking
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight
- Focus on eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily
- Limit red meats; instead, choose chicken, turkey, or fish
- Use just egg whites rather than the whole egg
- Make 30 minutes of exercise a daily routine
You can read more about cholesterol here.
Sources:
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"High Cholesterol." 4woman.gov. Dec 2007. US Department of Health and Human Services. 10 Sep 2008. <http://www.4woman.gov/minority/hispanicamerican/hc.cfm>.
Kelley, George A., Kristi S. Kelley, and Zung V. Tran. "Exercise, Lipids, and Lipoproteins in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis." Preventative Cardiology. 8:4 (2005): 206-14. 10 Sep 2008. <http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2447857>.
Liao, Yi-Chu, Hsiu-Fen Lin, Tanja Rundek, Rong Cheng, Edward Hsi, Ralph L. Sacco, and Suh-Hang Hank Juo. "Multiple Genetic Determinants of Plasma Lipid Levels in Caribbean Hispanics." Clinical Biochemistry. 41:5 (2008): 306-12. 10 Sep. 2008. <http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2366941>.
Morales, Leo S., Marielena Lara, Raynard S. Kingston, Robert O. Valdez, and José J. Escarce. "Socioeconomic, Cultural and Behavioral Factors Affecting Hispanic Health Outcomes." Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 13:4 (2007): 477–503. 10 Sep 2008.
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"The Two Sources of Cholesterol." AmericanHeart.org. 7 Apr 2008. American Heart Association. 10 Sep 2008. <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3046105>.
