The effect of migration on hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors: A review

This comprehensive review summarizes the effects of migration and immigration on the development of hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors the world over–Europe, Asia, Africa, North, South and Central America, China, Australia, and the Middle East. The process of acculturation that populations undergo as they move from small, rural, agricultural economies to industrialized towns and cities takes a toll on health and well-being. Surroundings change, a new culture has to be adapted to, a new language learned, lifestyles changed, physical activity often drastically reduced, and major changes made in eating habits as low-sodium low-fat diets are replaced by processed foods and high amounts of salt. Even populations that move from one westernized country to another undergo these traumas. The results: increased stress, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. These changes are more severe in the elderly than young people, who adapt to their new home more quickly. While such reactions to migration are seen worldwide, all populations do not respond the same, the result of constitutional differences and of the different cultures from whence they came. These dramatic changes put the onus on the governments and health services of the host countries to tailor prevention and treatment programs to these different populations–proactive programs that are sorely lacking in most countries. The literature documents these phenomena, and can serve as a wake-up call to what is becoming a major worldwide health issue as populations shift and peoples struggle to adapt.