The prevalence of cardiovascular risk conditions and awareness among a Latino subgroup: Dominicans in northern Manhattan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risks and identify early opportunities for prevention among Dominican adults residing in New York City.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a convenience sample of Dominicans recruited through extensive outreach in the community. All participants were interviewed and received an anthropometeric and laboratory examination pertaining to cardiovascular risk.

RESULTS: 17% had diabetes; another 20% had impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance; 56% had high cholesterol levels; 41% had hypertension upon examination; 75% were either overweight or obese. The Dominican diagnosed diabetes prevalence significantly exceeded comparable rates among US Latinos dominated by Mexican Americans, while their hypertension prevalence exceeded both US Latino and African American rates. Dominicans were more obese than either US Latino or African Americans, but they had the lowest proportion with high cholesterol. While >80% had a clinical encounter in the last 12 months, 29% were unaware that they had diabetes; 39% did not know they had hypertension, and 50% were unaware of their high cholesterol levels.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk conditions among Dominicans in New York is higher than the rate for US Latinos for selected but not all conditions. In addition, many missed opportunities exist for prevention and early diagnosis. Future research and cardiovascular risk prevention programs need to pay attention to differences of cardiovascular risk among Latino subgroups.