Are overseas-born patients at higher risk of cardiovascular disease? A comparative risk factor analysis of hospitalised patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: International data suggest an increase in incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in migrants. However, there is a paucity of specific information on the overall prevalence of risk factors for CVD in the Australian migrant population. We sought to compare the risk factor profiles and degree of coronary artery disease (CAD) between Australian-born vs overseas-born patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent coronary angiography at our institution between January and December 2021. Demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, lipid levels, and CAD severity were compared and categorised according to country of birth. RESULTS: Out of 527 eligible patients, 104 were Australian-born (19.7%) and 423 were overseas-born (80.2%). Overseas-born patients had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (56.3% vs. 27.9%, p<0.001), prior history of myocardial infarction (35.5% vs. 28.8%, p=0.029), and more severe CAD (70.24% vs. 61.54%, p=0.046) as defined as presence of three vessel disease compared to Australian-born patients. Differences in measured lipid profiles were not statistically significant, and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and smoking trended higher in overseas-born patients. CONCLUSIONS: The overseas-born have a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors and more likely to have more severe CAD than Australian-born patients. Our findings suggest that these populations may benefit from aggressive primary and secondary prevention strategies to improve their cardiovascular risk burden and prognosis.