Lifestyle, Stress Reduce Heart Health Advantage in Long-Term US Immigrants
Foreign-born immigrants to the United States initially have lower risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than US-born adults, but that advantage decreases the longer they live in the country, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Middle East 2025 conference in Dubai.
The research, analyzing data from 15,965 adults in the 2011-2016 NHANES survey, examined CVD risk factors including BMI, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking. Foreign-born individuals residing in the U.S. for less than 15 years showed lower rates of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking than U.S.-born adults. However, immigrants living in the U.S. for over 15 years experienced higher prevalence of diabetes and elevated cholesterol.
Study co-author Krishna Moparthi, a medical student at John F. Kennedy University School of Medicine, said lifestyle acculturation, chronic stress, and the decline of protective cultural habits contribute to the rising cardiovascular risk among long-term immigrants.
“Immigrants arrive with a cardiovascular health advantage, but this fades over time due to dietary changes, sedentary behavior, and social stressors,” Moparthi said. He emphasized the need for early screenings, culturally sensitive counseling, and preventive interventions to help immigrants maintain heart health.
The study highlights the importance of considering duration of U.S. residence when assessing cardiovascular risk in immigrant populations and designing targeted public health strategies.
