Summary

Published Date: February 15, 2023

Summary: In 2022, the Vietnamese population in the United States (U.S.) comprises 2.2 million individuals, and Vietnam ranks as the sixth most frequent country of origin among immigrants in the U.S. The American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health have called for research to define the burden of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and their determinants across Asian American subgroups, including Vietnamese Americans. Despite these calls, Vietnamese Americans remain remarkably overlooked in cardiovascular research in the U.S.

Studies in Vietnam, small cross-sectional surveys in the U.S., and research using U.S. mortality data point to a high prevalence of hypertension and tobacco use among men and a high incidence of gestational diabetes among women. Moreover, Vietnamese Americans have one of the highest rates of cerebrovascular mortality in the country. Adverse social determinants of health — including frequent language barriers, limited health literacy, and low average income — have been suggested as important factors that contribute to cardiovascular risk in this group.

In this narrative review, authors summarize the existing knowledge in this space, highlight the distinct characteristics of cardiac risk in both Vietnamese and Vietnamese American individuals, discuss upstream determinants, and identify key knowledge gaps. They then outline several proposed interventions and emphasize the need for further studies in this underrepresented population. Authors aim to increase awareness of the significant burden of risk factors and cardiovascular disease shouldered by this large — but thus far overlooked — population in the U.S., boost research in this space, and help inform tailored, effective preventive interventions.

This study uses data from the 2013–2014 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).

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