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Racial Disparities in Cardiovascular Risk and Cardiovascular Care in Women

  • Women and Cardiovascular Health (N Goldberg and S Lewis, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Cardiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Research on sex and gender aspects cardiovascular disease has contributed to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality in women. However, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death of women in the United States. Disparities in cardiovascular risk and outcomes among women overall persist and are amplified for women of certain ethnic and racial subgroups. We review the evidence of racial and ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk and care among women and describe a path forward to achieve equitable cardiovascular care for women of racial and ethnic minority groups.

Recent Findings

There is a disproportionate effect on cardiovascular outcomes in women and certain racial and ethnic groups in part due to disparities in triage, diagnosis, treatment, which lead to amplification of inequalities in women of minority racial and ethnic background. Data suggest gender and racial bias, underappreciation of nontraditional risk factors, underrepresentation of women in clinical trials and undertreatment of disease contributes to persistent differences in cardiovascular disease outcomes in women of color.

Summary

Understanding the myriad of factors that contribute to increased cardiovascular risk, and disparities in treatment and outcomes among women from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds is imperative to improving cardiovascular care for this patient population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY, USA

    Rachel-Maria Brown, Catherine R. Weinberg & Aeshita Dwivedi

  2. Office of Clinical Research, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA

    Samia Tamazi

  3. Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health, Hempstead, NY, USA

    Rachel-Maria Brown, Catherine R. Weinberg, Aeshita Dwivedi & Jennifer H. Mieres

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Rachel-Maria Brown reports the following: Chair, New York American College of Cardiology Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force (Unpaid). Jennifer H. Mieres reports the following: Member of the Scientific Advisory Board (no payments) for 98point6 Digital Primary Care Co., and Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Atria Medical Company. The other authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Brown, RM., Tamazi, S., Weinberg, C.R. et al. Racial Disparities in Cardiovascular Risk and Cardiovascular Care in Women. Curr Cardiol Rep 24, 1197–1208 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-022-01738-w

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