Heart Attacks and Strokes in the Hispanic and Latino Population
Heart illness is the principal eradicator for all Americans and stroke is the fourth leading reason of death. Hispanics and Latinos, nevertheless, face even greater threats of cardiovascular illnesses because of diabetes, obesity and hypertension. In the Hispanic and Latino population, cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer. According to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, Hispanics born in the US have an even higher danger for cardiovascular illnesses when matched to those born outer the country ("Huffington Post", 2014). The higher risk might be associated to the acceptance of what is considered an American way of life, with complex stages of stress, treated foods and shortage of activity. According to the American Stroke Association (ASA) and the American Heart Association (AHA), Puerto Rican Americans have the higher hypertension-related death rate. Mexicans Americans have a greater occurrence of ischemic stroke at younger ages, and also have an upper rate of hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage than non-Hispanic whites. Studies indicate that fifteen percent of Latino men and nine percent of Latino women utilize tobacco, increasing the risk of heart diseases ("Huffington Post", 2014). The overweight rate among Mexicans Americans over twenty years of age is alarming. Seventy-seven percent of men and seventy five percent of women are obese or overweight.
The Hispanic and Latino population must take all these facts into consideration because they face a greater risk against cardiovascular diseases; however, they must realize and understand that their cultural beliefs can affect treatment and management of heart attacks and strokes. In some Hispanic cultures, the patients view illness as God’s will or divine penance from previous or current sinful conduct; moreover, Hispanic patients may choose to use family remedies and may consult a traditional...