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Patients with heart failure typically experience high rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as increased healthcare costs. Disparities in risk factors and treatment strategies for patients with heart failure exist and need to be addressed by the healthcare community.

Disparities in heart failure risk factors and treatment methods span across racial and ethnic groups. The causes of these disparities may be linked to various factors, such as socioeconomic status. A study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure reviewed health care disparities that exist in patients with heart failure and potential solutions to decrease inequities in clinical access and outcomes.

Investigations into the disparities around risk of developing heart failure across different racial and ethnic groups reveal that Black individuals have the highest risk of heart failure. Black and Hispanic patients have been shown to develop heart failure at a younger age than non-Hispanic White patients. In addition, Black men and women have higher age-adjusted mortality rates than other groups of people.

Systemic and structural racism may play a role in the disparities, in terms of access to care and socioeconomic status. Implicit biases may also affect clinical decision-making and specific attitudes or perceptions of patients. Racial differences in genetics have been recognized as impacting the development of heart failure through differences in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. For instance, Black patients in the United States are more likely to show low levels of renin during hypertensive, normotensive, and heart failure conditions.

Possible solutions to address healthcare disparities in patients with healthcare span across multiple domains. On an interpersonal level, healthcare providers can raise awareness of bias, racism, and microaggressions. Healthcare providers and clinicians can also seek to educate patients on heart failure risk factors, ensure timely diagnosis and management of heart failure, and personalize treatment options, as needed.

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Source:
Morris, A., Shah, K. S., Enciso, J. S., Hsich, E., Ibrahim, N. E., Page, R., & Yancy, C. (2022). The Impact of Health Care Disparities on Patients With Heart Failure. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 28(7), 1169-1184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2022.04.008