J Natl Med Assoc
-
Hypertension is the predominant risk factor for cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality among Black adults in the United States. It contributes significantly to the development of heart failure and increases the risk of death following heart failure diagnosis. ⋯ As such, all stakeholders including health care providers, particularly primary care clinicians (including physicians and advanced practice providers), patients, and communities must be aware of the consequences of uncontrolled hypertension among Black adults. Appropriate treatment strategies should be identified and implemented to ensure timely and effective blood pressure management among Black individuals, particularly those with, and at risk for heart failure.
-
Black patients develop heart failure at younger ages and have worse outcomes such as higher mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Despite significant recent improvements in heart failure medical therapy, these worse outcomes have persisted. ⋯ Strategic interventions considering social and structural determinants of health, addressing structural inequalities/ bias, implementation of quality improvement programs, early diagnosis and prevention are critically needed to bridge the racial/ ethnic disparities gap and improve longevity of Black patients with heart failure. In this review, we propose evidence-based solutions that provide a framework for the primary care physician addressing these challenges to engender equity in treatment allocation and improve outcomes for all patients with heart failure.
-
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States. Several studies have shown racial disparities in the cardiovascular outcomes. ⋯ NHB individuals score lower in blood pressure, blood lipids, nicotine exposure, sleep, physical activity level, glycemic control, weight, and diet when compared to NHW individuals. Measures to improve these indices at the primary care level may potentially hold the key in mitigating the health care disparities in cardiovascular health experienced by NHB individuals.
-
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, affecting between 3 and 6 million people in the United States. It is associated with a reduced quality of life and increased risk of stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure and death. ⋯ It is important that stakeholders understand the disproportionate burden of disease and management gaps that exists among Black patients living with AF. Appropriate treatments, including aggressive risk factor control, early referral to cardiovascular specialists and improving healthcare access may bridge some of the gaps in management and improve outcomes.