How Living Longer in the U.S. Affects Immigrant Heart and Vascular Health

Public health studies describe a pattern called the “healthy immigrant effect,” where many newcomers begin their U.S. journey in good health, shaped by their cultural habits and lifestyle.

New arrivals often bring strong traditional diets, active daily routines, and close-knit community support systems that naturally promote better overall health.

However, research now shows an important trend. The longer immigrants live in the U.S., the more their risk for heart and vascular disease begins to rise, especially after 10 to 15 years.

This shift doesn’t happen overnight. It develops gradually due to changes in lifestyle, stress levels, environment, and access to preventive healthcare.

Traditional Diets Begin to Change

Many immigrant families come from cultures where meals are fresh, home-cooked, and nutritionally balanced. But over time, American routines make it harder to maintain these habits. Busy schedules and convenience foods lead to:

• More processed meals

• Higher sugar and salt intake

• Larger portion sizes

• Less home cooking

These changes gradually increase the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and artery disease.

Stress Levels Increase Over Time

Starting life in a new country comes with invisible but significant stressors, including:

• Long work hours

• Financial pressure

• Language barriers

• Navigating new systems

• Adjusting to new environments

Long-term stress raises blood pressure and inflammation, two major contributors to heart and vascular disease.

Physical Activity Decreases

For many immigrants, life becomes more sedentary after moving to the U.S. Factors such as long commutes, colder weather, extended work shifts, and general fatigue make it harder to stay active. Reduced physical activity contributes to weight gain and higher cardiovascular risk.

Preventive Care Is Often Delayed

Many immigrants postpone preventive screenings because of:

• Lack of insurance

• Fear of medical costs

• Limited understanding of the healthcare system

• Time constraints

• The belief that “I feel fine, so I must be healthy”

But conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and vascular disease often develop silently, without warning signs.

Cultural Habits Fade Over Time

Gradually, immigrants adopt certain aspects of American lifestyle such as fast food, sugary drinks, late-night meals, and less movement. While small on their own, these habits add up and increase long-term cardiovascular risk.

How Heart Health and Vascular Health Are Connected

Most heart problems actually begin in the blood vessels. When arteries become narrowed, stiff, or blocked, the heart works harder to pump blood. This increases the risk of:

• Stroke

• Heart attack

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

• Aortic aneurysm

• High blood pressure

This is why vascular screening is such an important prevention tool. It detects early changes in the arteries before symptoms appear.

How to Protect Your Heart and Vascular Health

Here are simple steps that make a real difference:

• Get screened yearly

• Maintain cultural meals, but cook them with less oil, salt, and sugar

• Stay active even if it is only for 60 minutes of walking per day

• Manage stress intentionally through community, faith, rest, and movement

• Don’t wait for symptoms. Prevention is always better than cure

How WellSpring VitalHub Supports Immigrant Community Health

WellSpring VitalHub is dedicated to helping immigrant communities stay healthy through education and preventive care.

We provide group vascular screening for:

• Churches

• Workplaces

• HOAs

• Community organizations

• Cultural and immigrant groups

  
  

These screening helps detect early warning signs of stroke risk, poor circulation, artery blockages, and aneurysm.

Book your group screening here:https://www.wellspringvitalhub.com/book-online

Reference

Heart Disease Risk Increases for Immigrants the Longer They Live in the United Advisor, Oct 17, 2025.https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/news/heart-disease-risk-increases-for-immigrants-the-longer-they-live-in-the-united-states/