While there's no cure for heart failure, new treatments have helped people with this condition live longer and better lives. But not everyone has equal access to these treatments.
Studies show that people of color (POC) have higher rates of heart failure than people of other races, yet they often don't get the same level of care. Black or African Americans are less likely to be seen by a cardiologist or to be on a recommended treatment for heart failure. They're half as likely to get treatments like mechanical heart pumps or heart transplants.
If you have heart failure, getting on the right treatment plan can make a big difference in controlling your symptoms and helping you live longer. While we know several types of bias exist in the health care system, there are things you can do to make sure you get the best care possible. That starts with finding a doctor you trust and getting support.
Why is there bias in heart failure treatment?
A few factors stand in the way of POC getting the care they need to manage heart failure, including:
- A lack of health insurance
- Less access to doctors and quality hospitals
- Mistrust of doctors and the medical system
- Doctors who believe people of color are less likely to follow their treatment plan
- Difficulty paying for treatment
- A lack of diversity in the clinical trials that test new heart failure treatments
How to find the best care team
People who trust their doctor take better care of themselves, have fewer symptoms, and are happier with their treatment than those who don't. It's easier to build trust when your doctor is of the same race or ethnicity as you. But how do you find someone who looks like you?
The U.S. has a shortage of diverse doctors. Black people make up 13% of the population but account for only 3% of cardiologists in the U.S. More than 18% of Americans are Latino or Latina, but just 4% of that group are cardiologists.
If you can't find a cardiologist who is the same race as you, make sure the doctor you do find:
- Listens to you
- Respects your opinions
- Considers your feelings
- Makes you an equal partner in your care
Overcoming barriers to care
A few tips can help you break down any barriers that stand in the way of getting treated for heart failure.
Ask questions. When your doctor suggests a treatment, ask how it will help you and what side effects it might have. Also ask what other treatments are available to you.
Cut costs. If you don't have insurance or you can't afford your heart failure medications, ask your doctor if a less expensive drug is available. Look into patient assistance programs from the drug company to cover some or all of the costs. Or try an organization like NeedyMeds to help cover the cost of your medicine.
Improve your odds of treatment success. Along with taking your medicine, make lifestyle changes to improve your heart health. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut back on sodas and fast food. Check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar regularly. Take medicine if you need it to lower your numbers. Stay active on most days of the week. And don't use tobacco products.
Use telehealth. If you don't have transportation or the nearest cardiologist is far from where you live, ask if you can meet with a doctor from home using your phone or computer.
Join a clinical trial. Every heart failure drug started out in a clinical trial. These studies test new heart failure medicines to see how well they work compared to currently accepted treatments. It's important for clinical trials to be diverse. People of different races and ethnicities may respond differently to the same medicine. Joining one of these trials could give you access to a new medicine before it's available to the public. Ask your doctor to help you find a trial that will work for you.
If you have any questions or concerns about a study, the study recruiter can answer them for you.
Getting support in your community
Research finds that having good support from the people around you might keep you out of the hospital, improve your mood, and possibly help you live longer. Family and friends are the ones who know you best. They can help in all kinds of ways, from encouraging you to eat better to exercising with you.
If you don't have people to lean on, there are other places to turn for help. The American Heart Association offers a support community and support groups where you can meet and learn from other people of color with heart failure. The Stronger Hearts Helpline is a free heart failure support service that's available in Spanish and English.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: DigitalVision/Getty Images
SOURCES:
American Heart Association: "Finding the Right Doctor."
Circulation: "Racial diversity among American cardiologists: implications for past, present, and future."
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: "Disparities in cardiovascular care: past, present, and solutions."
Current Opinion in Cardiology: "Racial and ethnic disparities in heart failure."
FDA: "Clinical Trial Diversity."
Heart Failure Society of America: "HFSA Patient Education: Self Care—Following Your Treatment Plan and Dealing With Your Symptoms."
Journal of Patient Experience: "Perceived Social Support and Its Effects on Treatment Compliance and Quality of Life in Cardiac Patients."
Journal of the American College of Cardiology: "Race and ethnicity in heart failure: JACC focus seminar 8/9."
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: "Heart Failure Treatment."
National Institute of Health: "NIH-Supported Study Finds Racial Disparities in Advanced Heart Failure Treatment."
Penn Medicine: "Study Finds Patients Prefer Doctors Who Share Their Same Race/Ethnicity."
PLoS: "Trust in the health care professional and health outcome: a meta-analysis."
The University of Arizona: "Let's Increase Awareness of Health Disparities in Heart Failure."
University of Southern California: "How to Improve Access to Health Care: Issues & Potential Solutions."
