Immigrant status and cardiovascular risk over time: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

• Published in: Annals of epidemiology 2016-06, Vol.26 (6), p.429-435.e1
• Main Authors: Lê-Scherban, Félice, PhD, Albrecht, Sandra S., PhD, Bertoni, Alain, MD, Kandula, Namratha, MD, Mehta, Neil, PhD, Diez Roux, Ana V., MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acculturation; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attitude to Health - ethnology; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - ethnology; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Cardiovascular events; Cardiovascular risk factors; Cohort studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emigrants and Immigrants - statistics & numerical data; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Immigrants; Incidence; Internal Medicine; Life Style - ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Sex Distribution; Survival Analysis; Time Factors; United States
• ISSN: 1047-2797; 1873-2585
• DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.04.008

Abstract Purpose Despite cross-sectional evidence that foreign-born United States (US) residents often have better health than US-born residents of similar race and/or ethnicity, we know little about overall cardiovascular risk progression over time among immigrants as they age in the US. Methods Using longitudinal data from the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis on 6446 adults aged 45–84 years at baseline, we examined how nativity and length of US residence related to change in cardiovascular health (CVH) and cardiovascular event incidence over 11-year follow-up. CVH was measured using the American Heart Association's CVH measure (range, 0–14; higher is better). Results Immigrants, particularly those with shorter US residence, had better baseline CVH and lower cardiovascular event incidence than the US born. Baseline CVH scores ranged from 8.67 (8.42–8.92) among immigrants living in the US less than 10 years to 7.86 (7.76–7.97) among the US born. However, recent immigrants experienced the largest CVH declines over time: 10-year declines ranged from −1.04 (−1.27 to −0.80) among immigrants living in the US less than 10 years at baseline to −0.47 (−0.52 to −0.42) among the US born. Conclusions Public health prevention efforts targeting new immigrants may help slow the deterioration of CVH and reduce future cardiovascular risk.