Hispanic groups differ in cardiac conditions

"Different patterns of left ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular remodeling exist among Hispanic subgroups and in comparison with non-Hispanic whites and blacks, a study found. After adjustment for hypertension and other variables, Hispanic subgroups had these odds ratios for left ventricular hypertrophy compared with whites, according to an online report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology":

* Caribbean origin, OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3)
* Mexican origin, OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.4 to 3.3)
* Central/South American origin, OR 1.5 (95% CI 0.7 to 3.1) - medpagetoday

Hispanics less likely to have repeat revascularizations 1 year after angioplasty

"Hispanic patients were 57 percent less likely than Caucasian patients to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery one year after successful angioplasty, a type of percutaneous coronary intervention to open blockages in the coronary arteries. Hispanics also had a trend toward lower rates of overall repeat revascularization procedures including stenting and bypass surgery, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008. The study also found half of Hispanics undergoing PCI had diabetes increasing their risk for heart attack. They also were more likely to have longer lesions blocking their arteries, with the average length of 15.4 millimeters compared to 14.1 mm in Caucasians - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News