Using longitudinal data from the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis on 6446 adults aged 45–84 years at baseline, we examined how nativity and length of US residence related to change in cardiovascular health (CVH) and cardiovascular event incidence over 11-year follow-up. CVH was measured using the American Heart Association's CVH measure (range, 0–14; higher is better).
Immigrants, particularly those with shorter US residence, had better baseline CVH and lower cardiovascular event incidence than the US born. Baseline CVH scores ranged from 8.67 (8.42–8.92) among immigrants living in the US less than 10 years to 7.86 (7.76–7.97) among the US born. However, recent immigrants experienced the largest CVH declines over time: 10-year declines ranged from −1.04 (−1.27 to −0.80) among immigrants living in the US less than 10 years at baseline to −0.47 (−0.52 to −0.42) among the US born.
Public health prevention efforts targeting new immigrants may help slow the deterioration of CVH and reduce future cardiovascular risk.