African Americans have higher rates of heart failure and die sooner

   Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to maintain adequate circulation of blood in the tissues of the body or pump out the venous blood returned to it. It is a major factor in escalating health care costs and is now the leading cause of hospitalization in patients aged 65 years and older. African-Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 are 2.5 times more likely to die from heart failure than Caucasians in the same age range. Based on data from the Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that there are approximately 700,000 African Americans with heart failure in the United States , and this number is expected to grow to 900,000 by 2010.

   Between the ages of 45 and 64, African American males have a 70% higher risk for heart failure than Caucasian males. African American females between the ages of 45 and 54 have a 50% greater risk to develop heart failure than Caucasian females. The earlier onset of the disease means higher rates of hospitalization, earlier disability, and higher rates of premature death (death before the age of 65). This dramatic difference in health status and health outcomes can be attributed to a variety of factors, including lack of access to quality medical care.

   The Foundation acknowledges the potential advancements in treatment for heart failure in African Americans represented by the recently completed African American Heart Failure Trial (A-HeFT), and the new treatment modalities being developed by NitroMed, Inc. However, we also recognize that this is only the beginning of the type of research that must be undertaken to determine the real causes and effective treatments for heart failure in individuals that self-identify as African American. To that end, the Foundation is engaged in discussions with critical stakeholders to explore the feasibility of establishing a National African American Heart Failure Consortium. This partnership of national organizations will review trends in heart failure incidence, treatment and cost; and advise the Foundation on strategies that can be implemented at the national and local levels to overcome barriers to access to the most effective medical treatments.”

For additional information on heart failure, please explore the following links:

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

HEALTHY HEART INITIATIVE IN GA & TX
A pilot project to reduce cardiovascular disease disparities in Atlanta and Dallas
Program Overview
The Healthy Heart Initiative, under the aegis of the National Minority Health Month Foundation and an unrestricted grant from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a groundbreaking pilot program. This pilot program is designed to strengthen the capacity of local communities in Atlanta and Dallas to eliminate the disproportionate burden of premature death and preventable illness from CVD through prevention, early detection, and control of disease complications. The pilot program is targeting specific zip codes where CVD disparities in Atlanta and Dallas are significantly higher than the national average for cardiovascular disease.
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