Women born outside the United States are more likely to die of heart disease or stroke than those who are native born.

It's already known that US residents born in other countries have a lower death rate from all causes than US natives. But the tables are turned when it comes to death from heart disease and stroke. Researchers from New York say these death rates are higher among women born outside the US.

Data kept by the National Centre for Health Statistics reveals that for foreign born women, the death rate from heart disease was 162 per 100,000 compared to 122 per 100,000 for US born women in 1997. For stroke, the death rates were 58 per 100,000 and 49 per 100,000 respectively. The reasons for these differences are not clear. The researchers wonder if underlying higher rates of hypertension may be responsible, or whether the foreign women have an unhealthier diet. Whatever the factors involved, it's important to try to meet the specific health needs of new American residents, so their life expectancy isn't compromised.

Source

American Journal of Preventive Medicine January 2002