High incidence of heart disease among Latinas is directly related to a higher risk for metabolic syndrome, according to a study by Dr. Fatima Rodriguez of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Voxxi reports.

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of factors—high blood pressure, increased levels of blood sugar, excessive body fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels—that lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Rodriguez’ study, published in Family Practice News, collected information from the health screenings of 18,000 women and complete medical histories for 7,000 women.

Her findings, according to the report, include:

Researchers found an overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome for 35 percent of evaluated women; however, Rodriguez states “there was a disproportionate burden for Hispanic womenand black women.”

Forty percent of Hispanic women were classified as having metabolic syndrome compared to 39 percent of blacks, 31 percent of whites, and 29 percent of women who identified themselves as “other.”

The research also revealed most of the metabolic syndrome seen in Latinas was related to abnormal lipid levels, most notably among the youngest participants.

“Many of these women have high triglyceride levels and low HDL levels … and this disparity was most pronounced in young women,” Rodriguez said.

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