Cardiovascular risk factors and events in Iranian immigrants versus other immigrants from the Middle East

We report the incidence of cardiovascular events, mortality and risk factors (diabetes and hypertension) in immigrants from Iran and in non-Iranian immigrants from the Middle East. Using population-based healthcare administrative data, all immigrants from the Middle East and the non-immigrant population of Ontario, Canada as of July 2012 were identified. Baseline differences in diabetes and hypertension prevalence were compared. Outcomes were ascertained through March 2016 and included the incidence of acute coronary events, ischemic heart disease mortality, all-cause mortality, and incident diabetes and hypertension. The study population included 55,539 Iranian immigrants, 106,926 non-Iranian Middle Eastern immigrants, and 6,967,132 non-immigrants. Non-immigrants had the highest crude baseline prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. Compared to non-immigrants, Iranian and non-Iranian Middle Eastern immigrants had significantly lower incidence rate of acute coronary events, ischemic heart disease mortality and all-cause mortality. Both Iranian and non-Iranian Middle Eastern immigrants had better cardiovascular health status than non-immigrants.