African-American individuals also develop heart failure before the age of 50 at 20 times the rate of whites; are twice as likely to develop diabetes as whites, and are more likely to have serious complications such as kidney disease.
Treatment and Detection
While we know that African Americans skew younger with the onset of heart valve disease risk factors, less is known about whether health care providers are detecting and treating heart valve disease in these patients. An August 2017 American Journal of Cardiology study found that the odds of being referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon for treatment of heart valve disease were 54% lower in African American patients compared with whites.
Additionally, research shows that African Americans with heart valve disease are 33% more likely to refuse treatment than white patients. Yet, when they were treated, both groups had similar 3-year survival rates. The importance of understanding the reasons behind lower rates of referral and treatment refusal among African Americans cannot be overstated. This is literally a matter of life and death.
Unfortunately, the medical professional guidelines for diagnosing and treating heart valve disease do not yet include attention to racial disparities. There needs to be increased research on the causes and solutions to these disparities and we need to get to the bottom of why these differences exist. For example, potential causes include disparities in access to diagnosis and treatment for heart valve disease, differences in what patients prefer, or biases on the part of providers.
A National Conversation
We need to start a national conversation about heart valve disease for all Americans, especially those who are underserved. This is why the Alliance for Aging Research, the Association of Black Cardiologists, and nearly 40 other organizations come together to recognize National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on February 22 each year.
This year’s theme of “Listen to Your Heart” encourages everyone to know their risk factors for heart valve disease, listen to their hearts and get them checked regularly, and know where to turn if they notice symptoms.
Visit www.ValveDiseaseDay.org to learn more.