Study Reveals Diverse Cardiovascular Risks Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Populations

A new study examining cardiovascular disease risks among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations reveals substantial differences in health indicators across various subgroups. Researchers analyzed electronic health records of approximately 700,000 adults in California and Hawaii, uncovering critical insights into population-specific cardiovascular risks.

The study found dramatic variations in key health metrics across different AANHPI subgroups. High blood pressure prevalence ranged from 12% among Chinese adults to 30% among Filipino adults. Similarly, obesity rates varied from 11% in Vietnamese adults to 41% in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults. Type 2 diabetes prevalence also showed significant disparities, ranging from 5% in Chinese adults to 14% in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults.

Using the American Heart Association's PREVENT risk calculator, researchers determined that Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults, along with Filipino, South Asian, and other Southeast Asian populations, exhibited higher 10-year cardiovascular disease risk compared to non-Hispanic white adults. This finding challenges previous approaches that treated AANHPI populations as a monolithic group.

Lead study author Rishi V. Parikh emphasized the importance of disaggregating data, noting that historically, these populations have been grouped together, masking crucial variations in disease prevalence and risk factors. The research highlights the need for more nuanced, subgroup-specific approaches to cardiovascular health monitoring and prevention.

The study's limitations include potential non-representativeness of uninsured populations and those outside California and Hawaii. However, the researchers propose future investigations to explore underlying factors contributing to these diverse risks, including social determinants of health and cultural contexts.

This research provides critical evidence for healthcare professionals and policymakers to develop more targeted cardiovascular prevention strategies that recognize the unique health characteristics of different AANHPI subgroups.