Heart Failure in Hispanics

Abstract

Although large-scale heart failure (HF) studies in Hispanic Americans are lacking, some compelling data indicate that they are a particularly vulnerable population and underscore the need for further research. Hispanics comprise the largest and fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S., in whom the impact of this burgeoning public health problem may be magnified. Current data show that Hispanics with HF are more likely to be younger and underinsured than non-Hispanic whites. They have higher rates of readmissions but have lower in-hospital and short-term mortality rates. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate that Hispanics have excessive rates of diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Although hypertension and ischemic heart disease are established risk factors in this ethnic group, it may be considered that insulin resistance plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of HF in Hispanics, accounting for their inordinate cardiometabolic risk burden and the growing evidence of novel metabolic risk factors for HF. Hispanics encounter multiple barriers to health care influenced by socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural factors that, in turn, have an adverse impact on disease prognosis. Recognition of predominant risk factors and health care disparities in this population is crucial to tailoring appropriate management strategies. This review summarizes epidemiologic and clinical data on Hispanics with HF, details risk factors and health care impediments, and presents an agenda for future investigation. © 2009 American College of Cardiology Foundation.