Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) are significant concerns among the elderly, sharing overlapping risk factors. Hawaii's unique demographic profile, characterized by its strong ethnic diversity, shows marked racial health disparities. For instance, the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) population is identified as a high-risk group for multiple health conditions, including CVD. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of AD on the risk of developing CVD, with a focus on racial influences, utilizing Hawaii Medicare data. METHODS: Employing nine years of longitudinal Hawaii Medicare data, this study identified elderly patients diagnosed with AD who subsequently developed heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), atrial fibrillation (AF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or stroke. To assess the risk of CVD, we utilized multistate models and employed propensity score-matched controls. Additionally, we evaluated racial and ethnic differences in the risk of these diseases, while accounting for other relevant risk factors. RESULTS: Our findings revealed an elevated risk of AMI, HF, and IHD among individuals diagnosed with AD. Additionally, socioeconomic status (SE) was identified as a crucial factor in the risk of cardio and cerebrovascular diseases. Within the low SE group, NHPIs exhibited increased risks of HF and IHD compared to their white counterparts. Interestingly, NHPIs demonstrated reduced risks of HF in the higher SE group. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AD increases the likelihood of developing AMI, HF, and IHD. Moreover, the risk of CVD appears to be influenced by race/ethnicity in Hawaii, as well as socioeconomic status.