Ethnic disparities and lifestyle determinants in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease among Han majority and Ha Ni ethnic minority older adults in rural Southwest China

Abstract Objectives Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in China. To provide evidence for preventing and controlling the development of CVD among older adults in ethnic minority communities by understanding the ethnic disparities and lifestyle determinants of CVD. This study aimed to compare ethnic disparities and lifestyle determinants in the prevalence of CVD (hypertension, CHD, and stroke) among older adults between Han majority and Ha Ni ethnic minority in rural southwest China. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire and physical examination were conducted among Han majority and Ha Ni ethnic minority groups aged ≥ 60 years in rural Southwest China. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure values of each participant were recorded. The relationship between ethnic and lifestyle factors and CVD was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1413 Han majority and 1402 Ha Ni ethnic minority elderly individuals participated in this study. Han majority older adults had a higher prevalence of CHD and stroke than in Ha Ni ethnic minority counterparts (P < 0.01). Compared with the Han majority elderly, Ha Ni ethnic minority older adults had a higher risk of hypertension (OR = 1.168, 95%CI: 1.070–1.274), and a lower risk of CHD (OR = 0.818, 95%CI: 0.680–0.985) and stroke (OR = 0.736, 95%CI: 0.605–0.895). Participants with obesity were more likely to have hypertension (OR = 2.092, 95%CI: 1.344–3.255) and CHD (OR = 2.259, 95%CI: 1.341–3.808). Additionally, those who with central obesity and physically inactivity were more likely to have hypertension (OR = 2.349, 95%CI: 1.930–2.858 and OR = 1.303, 95%CI: 1.105–1.537) and stroke (OR = 2.205, 95%CI: 1.384–2.962 and OR = 2.024, 95%CI: 1.405–2.916). Current drinking increased the risk of hypertension (OR = 1.311, 95%CI: 1.077–1.596), but decreased the risk of stroke (OR = 0.428, 95%CI: 0.243–0.754). Conclusion CHD and stroke are more prevalent among the Han majority older adults in rural Southwest China, and there is a significant influence of lifestyle factors on CVD.