Cardiovascular Health and Disease Among Asian-Americans (from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey)

Abstract

Variable propensity toward cardiovascular disease in the different ethnicities in the United States has been reported. We aimed to characterize the prevalence trends of cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 metrics, and cardiovascular diseases amongst Asian-Americans. We used the National Health and Examination Nutrition Survey from 2011 to 2016 to capture self-identified American-born Asian-Americans and foreign-born Asian-Americans. The prevalence trends of cardiovascular health metrics and diseases were evaluated in Asian-Americans and also compared between American-born and foreign-born Asian-Americans. Results were presented as weighted percentages and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. From 2011-2012 to 2015-2016, the prevalence of Asian-Americans reporting no physical activity increased from 21.5% to 32.4% (p for linear trend = 0.001) and the prevalence of Asian-American participants reporting a healthy diet decreased from 44.1% to 36.8% (p for quadratic trend = 0.02). There was a concomitant decline in the prevalence of Asian-Americans with normal weight (body mass index <25 kg/m²) from 60.5% from 2011-2012 to 55.3% in 2015-2016 (p for linear trend = 0.04). The prevalence of congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease increased from 2011-2012 to 2015-2016. Foreign-born Asian-Americans had lower odds of having a nonhealthy diet and blood pressure compared with American-born Asians. In conclusion, in the National Health and Examination Nutrition Survey 2011 to 2016 cycles, Asian-Americans exhibited a declining prevalence of healthy weight and an increasing prevalence of poor diet, physical activity levels, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Foreign-born Asian-Americans also exhibited a different cardiometabolic risk profile compared with American-born Asian-Americans.