Heart disease is now the leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the US, overtaking cancer, according to a new report from the American Heart Association (AHA).The report, published in Circulation, says that several cardiovascular risk factors are appearing at younger ages among Hispanic adults, setting the stage for heart disease and stroke earlier in life.But the AHA says there is no single explanation, or even a single “Hispanic” health profile. Risk varies substantially among Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American and South American communities, as well as between people born in the US and those born elsewhere.Diabetes, Obesity And High BP Showing Up EarlierThe report identifies obesity, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure as major contributors to cardiovascular risk.Nearly 46% of Hispanic adults have obesity, while Type 2 diabetes affects about 15.5%, almost twice the prevalence seen among non-Hispanic White adults. Around 44% have high blood pressure, but awareness, treatment and control remain lower than they should be.These disorders can damage blood vessels over time. High blood pressure places continuous stress on artery walls. Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves and accelerate atherosclerosis, while excess body weight is linked to both hypertension and metabolic disease.The consequences can appear earlier than expected. Hispanic adults are diagnosed with heart failure around 8 to 9 years earlier than White adults, while their first stroke occurs, on average, 6 to 8 years earlier.Also read: Cefepime: Antibiotic Used For Pneumonia, UTI Linked To Higher Death Risk In AdultsIt Is Not Just About LifestyleThe AHA report says that cardiovascular disparities cannot be explained simply by individual choices. “Many Hispanic adults face obstacles that extend far beyond the doctor's office,” said Johanna Contreras, MD, MSc, FAHA, chair of the scientific statement's writing group.“A person's ZIP code, access to healthy foods, ability to communicate with health care providers and opportunities to be physically active can be just as important to heart health as traditional medical risk factors.”Access to preventive care also plays a key role. While high blood pressure rates are similar to those among non-Hispanic White adults, Hispanic adults are less likely to have their hypertension diagnosed, treated or controlled.Also read: Eating 4–6 Servings of Whole Grains Daily May Lower Heart Disease RiskSleep, Diet And Physical Activity Add To The Risk Nearly one-third of Hispanic adults report getting less than seven hours of sleep, while around one-third report no moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity. Dietary quality is another concern, with very few meeting recommended targets for sodium and healthy-fat intake.Obesity affects almost half of Hispanic adults, with particularly high rates among people of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage. Type 2 diabetes is most prevalent among Mexican and Puerto Rican adults, while hypertension is particularly common among Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican populations.Risk factors, healthcare access, language, income, cultural practices and immigration experiences can differ significantly between Hispanic communities.The AHA is therefore calling for culturally tailored prevention, better representation of Hispanic people in cardiovascular research and more detailed health data that does not treat all Hispanic populations as one group.When it comes to high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, physical activity, diet and sleep, it is important to act early for prevention. AHA says prevention may need to begin earlier in life, rather than waiting for cardiovascular diseases.