Racial differences in patients with heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
Limited data exist regarding racial differences in heart failure. The objective of this prospective study was to document racial differences in the baseline demographics and patterns of health care utilization and outcomes in patients with heart failure.


METHODS
The data on 163 consecutive patients (113 black, 50 white) admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure confirmed by pulmonary congestion on chest x-ray were prospectively evaluated. Patient demographics, physical examination findings at admission, comorbid conditions, and medications at admission and discharge were analyzed. Follow-up was performed to document visits to the physician's office after discharge and readmission rate during a 6-month time period.


RESULTS
Compared with whites, blacks were younger in age (mean age 63.8 +/- 13.7 years vs. 70.8 +/- 13.1, p = 0.003), and had a higher prevalence of hypertension (86 vs. 66%, p = 0.004), left ventricular hypertrophy (24 vs. 8%, p = 0.02), ejection fraction < 40% (64 vs. 43%, p = 0.03), and readmission rate (33 vs. 18%, p = 0.05). Whites had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (42 vs. 21%, p = 0.006) and more frequently followed up with their cardiologists as outpatients (58 vs. 39%, p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant racial differences exist in patients with heart failure with regard to age, incidence, etiologic factors, left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular function, and clinical follow-up. It is important to consider these racial differences in the evaluation and management of patients with heart failure.
Afzal
A
A
Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Ananthasubramaniam
K
K
Sharma
N
N
al-Malki
Q
Q
Ali
A S
AS
Jacobsen
G
G
Jafri
S M
SM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American