Foreign-born adults residing in the US had a lower prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke compared to US-born adults; however, considerable heterogeneity of CHD and stroke risk was found by region of birth, according to the results of a recent study. Researchers used data from the 2006 to 2014 National Health Interview Survey with birthplace categorized as US or foreign born; foreign born was grouped into 6 birthplace regions. Among the findings:

• Age-standardized prevalence of both CHD and stroke were higher among US- than foreign-born adults (CHD: 8.2% vs 5.5% for men and 4.8% vs 4.1% for women; stroke: 2.7% vs 2.1% for men and 2.7% vs 1.9% for women).
• CHD prevalence was lower among foreign-born adults from Asia and Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean vs US-born adults.
• For stroke, men from South American or Africa had the lowest prevalence; women from Europe had the lowest prevalence.
• Years of living in the US was not related to risk of CHD or stroke after adjustment with demographic and health characteristics.