"Salud" is a Latin Post feature series that focuses on health and wellness topics and examines Latino health trends.

While individuals of all ages and backgrounds can have high cholesterol, the Latino community lags behind others when it comes to their maintenance and awareness.

Cholesterol, a waxy, fatlike substance, causes the narrowing and blockage of the carotid or coronary arteries, increasing the likelihood of stroke, angina (chest pain) and heart attack.

Approximately 71 million American adults have LDL, or "bad cholesterol." According to a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association, nearly half of Latinos in the United States are unaware that they have high cholesterol, likely due to a mix of genes and diet.

Understanding disparities in high cholesterol awareness, treatment, and control among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults is the best way to enlighten physicians and policymakers about ways to improve disease management and patient education. However, grasping that is a matter of acknowledging the unique needs of individuals based on their respective subgroup and level of acculturation.

Journal of the American Heart Association published a report titled "High Cholesterol Awareness, Treatment and Control Among Hispanic/Latinos: Results From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos," which accessed high cholesterol awareness, treatment and control rates among Hispanic adults, describing characteristics associated with high cholesterol awareness and management.

Fifty-two million Hispanics reside in the U.S., representing individuals from numerous Latin American nations, including Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Ricans; and the budding U.S. Hispanic population demonstrates variations in high cholesterol prevalence, resulting in untold outcomes when it concerns cardiovascular disease and control rates.

Developing data in regards to high cholesterol was achieved via the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), which assessed awareness, treatment and prevalence, analyzing an adequate representation of diverse Hispanic background groups for improved representation and comparison.

Beyond questions of prevalence, the HCHS/SOL examined whether interrelations exist between acculturative factors (language, nativity, and length of time in the United States) and high cholesterol status.

Forty-five percent of participants had high cholesterol, with significantly higher proportions among males (44 percent versus 40 percent) and those in older age groups. Also, those with hypertension, diabetes and those who were overweight were more likely to have the condition.

Central Americans and Cubans had the lowest rates of high cholesterol awareness, while those of Puerto Rican and Dominican backgrounds were more likely to be aware than other groups. Also, only half of respondents with high cholesterol were aware and only 29 percent received treatment.

The study found that 48 percent of participants had no health insurance coverage, and those who were insured were likely to be covered by public health insurance (Medicaid and/or Medicare). Also, health insurance coverage was more common among preferential English speakers and those residing in mainland U.S. for 10 years or longer, also highest among Puerto Ricans and lowest among South Americans.

Approximately 16,415 Latinos between 18 and 75 years of age participated in the study. Alongside the aforementioned discoveries, the research established that a sizable gap exists between high cholesterol awareness and subsequent treatment, likely due to primordial risks, language barriers, poor patient-provider communication and insufficient treatment. Conclusively, they found high rates of high cholesterol and a very low prevalence of high cholesterol awareness among Hispanic/Latino adults, and a major gap between high cholesterol awareness and high cholesterol treatment.

To correct behaviors regarding awareness and treatment, the study suggests that it's important to acknowledge the relationship between health and acculturation, and raise high cholesterol awareness. Also, increasing the proportion of Hispanic/ Latinos receiving high cholesterol treatment and achieving high cholesterol control are needed to reduce healthcare disparities.

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