Hispanic people between the ages of 35 and 55 in the United States are pretty optimistic about getting older. According to AARP, 70% of Spanish-speaking and bilingual Hispanic Americans feel happy about turning 50 and think of it as a meaningful milestone. Some people might consider those findings surprising given that Hispanic people in the United States also face serious health risks.
The leading causes of death for Hispanic people living in the United States are COVID-19, heart disease, and cancer. But Hispanic people also have a very high risk of certain chronic conditions. Here are a few of them and what you can do to prevent or manage them.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
In the United States, Hispanic people have a high risk of getting prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, but not as high as someone with type 2 diabetes. Both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are manageable chronic conditions. But they are also preventable.
Some steps you can take to lower your risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes include:
- Losing extra weight
- Being more physically active
- Eating healthy food such as fruits, nonstarchy vegetables (leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower), legumes (beans, chickpeas, and lentils), and whole grains (whole wheat pasta and bread, whole-grain rice, whole oats, and quinoa)
- Eating healthy fats
- Skipping fad diets and making healthier choices
One of the most important steps you can take to help catch prediabetes or type 2 diabetes as early as possible is to get routine screenings. If you do have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, an early diagnosis means you can start your treatment early to give you the best possible chance of managing the condition as best as possible.
High Blood Pressure
There is a higher rate of high blood pressure in Hispanic people than in people from other racial or ethnic groups in the United States:
- 46% of cisgender men ages 20 and older have high blood pressure.
- 35.4% of cisgender women ages 20 and older have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or heart failure.
So it's important to keep it under control. Here are some steps you can take to lower your blood pressure:
- Know what your blood pressure is. Doctors recommended you keep blood pressure levels below 120/80. Your doctor can let you know what your personal target blood pressure should be.
- Maintain a healthy weight and stay active. It can help reduce high blood pressure.
- Eat plenty of fruit, veggies, and low-fat dairy. Ask your doctor or nutritionist about the DASH diet, which can help lower high blood pressure.
- Cut down on sodium. Ask your doctor how much sodium you should aim to have every day. Experts usually recommend you have no more than 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams a day. Follow your doctor's guidance.
- If you drink alcohol, try to have no more than one to two drinks a day.
- Check your blood pressure at home regularly.
- Take your medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Stroke and Heart Disease
Hispanic people in the United States have a high risk of stroke and heart disease. The risk is higher for Hispanic people who smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or are considered obese.
You can cut your risk of cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke or heart disease, by:
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Lowering the amount of salt you have
- Staying physically active
- Not smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress levels
Breathing Disorders
In the United States, the following breathing disorders are common in Hispanic adults:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
Smoking is the main cause of these breathing disorders. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs so you have the support you need to quit.
It's important to take any medicine your doctor prescribes. If you have an inhaler, ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use it the right way. You should also ask your doctor to recommend a safe exercise routine. Exercise can help you breathe better.
Chronic Kidney Disease
In the United States, Hispanic people have a high risk of getting kidney disease. In fact, the number of Hispanic people with kidney failure has more than tripled since 2000.
Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, being older, and a family history of kidney disease. This doesn't mean that people with any of these risk factors will definitely get kidney disease. But if you have a high risk, here are some steps to take to reduce your risk or catch any problems as early as possible:
- Talk to your doctor about your high risk so you can get tested for kidney disease.
- Get screened for other risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
- Stay active, eat a healthy diet, don't smoke, limit alcohol if you drink, and maintain a healthy weight.
Chronic Liver Disease
Chronic liver disease is a leading cause of death among Hispanic people in the United States. In fact, Hispanic people have double the risk of getting a chronic liver disease than White people.
You can take steps to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce your risk of chronic liver disease:
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Get regular checkups with your doctor.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images
SOURCES:
AARP: “Hispanic Attitudes on Aging.”
American College of Cardiology Foundation: “Racial Disparities in Hypertension Prevalence and Management: A Crisis Control?”
American Heart Association: “Five Simple Steps to Control Your Blood Pressure.”
American Stroke Association: “Let’s Talk About Hispanic and Latino Americans and Stroke.”
