Cardiovascular disease has overtaken cancer as the leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the United States, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement released Tuesday, Sept. 15. The statement, published in the AHA journal Circulation, is not a new clinical trial. Instead, it reviews existing research to explain why heart disease and stroke take such a heavy toll on a group that makes up nearly 1 in 5 people in the country.
One of the most striking findings is timing. Hispanic adults are diagnosed with heart failure about 8 to 9 years younger than white adults, the AHA said. On average, they also have a first stroke 6 to 8 years earlier, at about age 67, compared with 73 to 75 for white adults.
The statement also points to a problem that is easy to miss. About 44% of Hispanic adults have high blood pressure, but their awareness, treatment, and control rates are lower than those of white adults. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, and when it is not managed, it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Risk Factors That Often Start Earlier in Life
The AHA says the shift is driven by rising rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other risk factors that often begin earlier in life for Hispanic people. Nearly 46% of Hispanic adults have obesity, with the highest rates among people of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage. Type 2 diabetes affects 15.5% of Hispanic adults, nearly twice the rate among white adults, and is most common among people of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage.
Daily habits are part of the picture. Fewer than 2% of Hispanic adults meet sodium goals, and fewer than 10% meet recommendations for healthy fats. About one-third sleep less than seven hours a night, and nearly one-third report no moderate or vigorous leisure-time physical activity, the highest share of any U.S. racial or ethnic group. Only about 1 in 5 Hispanic adults meets the AHA's original Life's Simple 7 definition of ideal cardiovascular health.
National data show the scale of the problem. In 2023, cardiovascular disease killed 36,512 Hispanic males and 30,067 Hispanic females of all ages, according to the AHA's 2026 statistics fact sheet. The same fact sheet reports that from 2021 to 2023, only 17.6% of Hispanic men and 23.5% of Hispanic women had their high blood pressure under control.
The statement also found that U.S.-born Hispanic adults have shorter life expectancy and higher death rates than those born in other countries, driven by high rates of heart disease, stroke, and several risk factors. It notes that ultraprocessed foods and sugary drinks are more common in the diets of U.S.-born Hispanic adults.
Barriers That Begin Outside the Exam Room
The writing group stressed that biology alone does not explain the gap. About 17% of Hispanic people live below the federal poverty line, compared with 8.2% of white adults. About 20% of Hispanic adults were uninsured in 2023, compared with 6.4% of white adults and 9.8% of Black adults. Around 41% of Hispanic adults, and 66% of older Hispanic adults, have low or limited health literacy, compared with 9% of white adults.
Risk also varies by heritage, so a single national number may not describe a specific community. The highest rates of high blood pressure were seen among people of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican heritage. That distinction may matter in metro areas with large Mexican American populations, such as Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, and Phoenix, and in cities such as New York and Miami, which have large Puerto Rican, Dominican, or Cuban communities.
Dr. Johanna Contreras, who chaired the writing group, said raising awareness is important, "but awareness without access is not enough." Contreras directs the Division of Heart Failure and is medical director of the Hispanic Heart Center at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. She also noted that family members are often asked to translate medical information and help make care decisions, which can be a source of strength but can also spread health misinformation.
Evidence Check: A Review, Not a New Discovery
AHA scientific statements summarize what is currently known and identify areas that need more research. They help inform future guidelines, but they do not make treatment recommendations. This statement enrolled no new patients, and much of the evidence it draws on comes from population and observational studies, which show patterns but cannot prove that any single factor causes the differences.
The statement also flags a research gap. Hispanic people remain underrepresented in cardiovascular research, and data are often not broken down by heritage group, which Contreras warned could cause researchers to overlook important differences in risk. Author disclosures are listed in the manuscript, and the AHA says more than 85% of its revenue comes from sources other than corporations.
To close the gap, the authors call for culturally tailored prevention, bilingual health education, greater use of community health workers, and outreach through trusted settings such as churches, markets, community centers, and Spanish-language media. They also urge more Hispanic participation in research, including studies that use artificial intelligence, and more detailed data collection across heritage groups.
Steps Families Can Take Now
A practical first step is knowing blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol numbers, especially for adults with a family history of heart disease or diabetes. Some pharmacies offer blood pressure checks, and a clinician can advise how often screening is needed. Anyone taking heart or blood pressure medicine should not stop or change it without talking to a health care professional.
Families should also learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sudden face drooping, arm weakness, or trouble speaking are reasons to call 911 right away. Waiting to see whether symptoms pass can delay treatment that works best when given quickly.
Cost and language barriers are real, but help exists. People without insurance can use HRSA's health center locator to find federally funded health centers, which offer care on a sliding fee scale based on income. Patients can also ask for a professional medical interpreter instead of relying on a child or other relative to translate.
The AHA says progress will require health systems, researchers, policymakers, community organizations, and families to work together. Readers should watch for follow-up studies that report results by heritage group and for future guideline updates that draw on this review.
Key Questions Answered
What did the American Heart Association announce? The AHA published a scientific statement on Sept. 15 saying cardiovascular disease has replaced cancer as the leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the U.S. The statement reviews existing research and does not report results from a new trial.
Why is cardiovascular disease so common among Hispanic adults? The statement points to high rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure that often begin at younger ages. Poverty, lack of insurance, limited health literacy, and language barriers also play a role.
Who faces the highest risk? Obesity rates are highest among Puerto Rican and Dominican adults, and high blood pressure is most common among Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican adults. U.S.-born Hispanic adults also have higher death rates than those born in other countries.
How much earlier do heart problems appear? Hispanic adults are diagnosed with heart failure about 8 to 9 years younger than white adults. Their first stroke happens at about age 67 on average, compared with 73 to 75 for white adults.
Which symptoms need emergency care? Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, face drooping, arm weakness, and trouble speaking are reasons to call 911. Do not wait to see whether symptoms go away.
Where can uninsured families get checked? Federally funded health centers offer care on a sliding fee scale. HRSA's online locator can help families find one nearby.
Does this statement change treatment guidelines? No. Scientific statements can inform future guidelines, but they do not make treatment recommendations.
