One in Four Los Angeles County Adults at Risk of Heart Disease, Survey Finds

At least 29% of adults in Los Angeles County, or 1.7 million people, have two or more risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, according to a random telephone survey of 8,100 adults, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The survey, conducted by the county Department of Health Services in 2002-2003, analyzed five major risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.

The study found that cardiovascular disease risk varied significantly by race, with 44% of black county residents, 32% of Latino county residents, 25% of white county residents and 21% of Asian-Pacific Islanders reporting two or more risk factors.

Geographically, the percentage of residents with two or more risk factors was the highest in South Los Angeles at 38% and the Antelope Valley at 37%. The survey found that 19% of residents of the west side of Los Angeles had two or more risk factors, the lowest incidence in the county.

In addition, researchers found that 39% of adults living below the federal poverty level reported multiple risk factors, compared with 24% of adults with annual incomes of at least 300% of the federal poverty level. Sixteen percent of Los Angeles County adults who reported two or more risk factors said they had not seen a health care provider in the past year, 18% reported having no health care coverage, and 12% said they did not have a regular source of health care (Anderson, Los Angeles Daily News, 7/29).