[Cardiovascular risk in adults of indigenous descent in Argentina: an analysis of the Second National Nutrition and Health Survey]

Introduction: Indigenous-descendant adults in Argentina have historically been marginalized in health information systems, hindering the development of policies tailored to their needs. Urbanization and lifestyle changes have impacted their cardiovascular risk profile. This study evaluates the prevalence of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular risk factors in this population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study based on open data from the Second National Nutrition and Health Survey of Argentina (2018-2019). A total of 7,367 adults were included, of whom 218 (3%) self-identified as indigenous descendants. The prevalence of myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and obesity was analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: No significant association was found between being an indigenous descendant and the presence of myocardial infarction (1.8% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.7831), chronic kidney disease (6.0% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.1779), or heart disease (9.2% vs. 6.1%; p = 0.0963). However, a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking was observed in this group. Dietary patterns were similar to those of the general population, although a higher percentage of indigenous descendants perceived their diet as healthy. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to implement prevention strategies and health education programs tailored to the sociocultural contexts of this population, considering their specific healthcare access barriers and dietary self-perceptions.