Cardiovascular disease has surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death among Hispanic adults, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA), published in the journal Circulation.

The finding does not mean cardiovascular disease is more dangerous than cancer for everyone. Rather, it highlights a concerning shift within the Hispanic population, which accounts for nearly one in five people in the US.

Why Is Cardiovascular Disease a Growing Concern?

The AHA says several major cardiovascular risk factors are particularly common among Hispanic adults and often develop at younger ages.

Nearly 46% of Hispanic adults have obesity, while 15.5% have type 2 diabetes, almost twice the prevalence reported among white adults. About 44% also have high blood pressure, although awareness, treatment, and control remain lower than among white adults.

These risk factors can contribute to conditions including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.

The effects may also appear earlier in life. Hispanic adults are diagnosed with heart failure around eight to nine years younger than white adults, while their first stroke occurs at an average age of 67, compared with 73 to 75 among white adults.

Lifestyle Factors May Also Play a Role

The statement points to several behavioural factors that can influence cardiovascular health.

Nearly one-third of Hispanic adults report no moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity, the highest rate among US racial and ethnic groups. Around one-third also report getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.

Diet is another concern. Fewer than 2% of Hispanic adults meet recommended sodium intake goals, while fewer than 10% meet recommendations for healthy fats. The AHA also notes that consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks is more common among US-born Hispanic adults.

However, experts say focusing solely on individual lifestyle choices would miss part of the picture.

Access to Healthcare Matters

The AHA statement highlights social and economic factors that can make preventing or managing cardiovascular disease more difficult.

Around 20% of Hispanic adults were uninsured in 2023, compared with 6.4% of white adults and 9.8% of Black adults. About 41% of Hispanic adults also have low or limited health literacy, which can make navigating healthcare systems and understanding medical information more challenging.

Language barriers, food insecurity, limited access to healthy foods, and safe spaces for physical activity can also affect cardiovascular health.

The researchers therefore argue that prevention needs to go beyond telling people to exercise more or eat better. They call for culturally appropriate healthcare, better access to treatment, greater representation in cardiovascular research, and stronger community-based health education.

The findings ultimately highlight a broader issue: cardiovascular disease may be preventable or manageable in many cases, but early risk factors can go unnoticed for years. Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight, alongside maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity, can help people understand and manage their cardiovascular risk.

For Hispanic communities, the AHA says these efforts need to begin earlier and account for the different cultural, social, and healthcare experiences within the population.

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