Understanding the

Complexity of Heart Failure

Risk and Treatment in Black
Patients

Submitted by:
Lardizabal, Rafael Joseph P.
BSN 4 – NDA 4

Submitted to:
Ma’am Ivy May Marbella, RN, MAN

September 7, 2020
Summary of the journal:
Age-adjusted HF-related cardiovascular disease death rates are higher for Black
patients, particularly among young Black men and women whose rates of death are 2.6- and
2.97-fold higher, respectively, than White men and women. Similarly, the rate of HF
hospitalization for Black men and women is nearly 2.5-fold higher when compared with
Whites, with costs that are significantly higher in the first year after HF hospitalization. While the
relative rate of HF hospitalization has improved for other race/ethnic minorities, the disparity in
HF hospitalization between Black and White patients has not decreased during the last
decade. Although access to care and socioeconomic status have been traditional explanations
for the observed racial disparities in HF outcomes, contemporary data suggest that novel factors
including genetic susceptibility as well as social determinants of health and implicit bias may
play a larger role in health outcomes than previously appreciated.

The purpose of this review is to describe the complex interplay of factors that influence racial
disparities in HF incidence, prevalence, and disease severity, with a highlight on evolving
knowledge that will impact the clinical care and address future research needs to improve HF
disparities in Blacks. Compared with other race/ethnic groups, Black patients have the highest
incidence and prevalence of heart failure as well as the worst clinical outcomes.

Reaction:
During our discussion back in Medical Surgical Nursing, it has been mentioned many times
that ethnicity can be a big risk factor in certain diseases, most especially cardiovascular
complications. The main reason of the high risk factor of being an African American is that
their eating habits and lifestyle is leaning more on the unhealthy side. They also tend to be
obese due to their diet, thus increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases. That’s why many
physicians try to inform their patients especially in the United States about the dangers of
cardiovascular complications while at a young age so that their lifestyles may still be changed
for the better.

What is the implication of the journal to nursing research:

This journal can provide basic information with regards to the reason as to why the African-
Americans are more at risk than the other ethnicities. It provides graphs and other helpful
data for the future researchers to base on.

What is the implication of the journal to nursing practice

It gives us a head start, especially for those who are planning to work abroad. With this
journal, nurses from all around the world may access it and study about the risks of
cardiovascular diseases and its correlation to the lifestyle and eating habits of the African-
Americans.

What is the implication of the journal to nursing education

Future nursing book authors may expound more on the reasons why they are more at risk for
cardiovascular diseases compared to other ethnicities using this journal as a guide.

Reference:

Nayak, A., Hicks, A. J., & Morris, A. A. (2020). Understanding the Complexity of Heart Failure
Risk and Treatment in Black Patients. Circulation: Heart Failure, 13(8).
doi:10.1161/circheartfailure.120.007264