August 6, 2026Journal of the American College of Cardiology248 citationsOpen Access
Disparities in Cardiovascular Mortality Related to Heart Failure in the United States
Key Result
Cardiovascular disease mortality in the United States showed a dramatically slowed rate of decline in 2011, coinciding with an increase in heart failure prevalence.
Key Points
- The aim is to investigate disparities in cardiovascular mortality related to heart failure in the United States.
- Analyzed trends in cardiovascular disease mortality rates from 1970 to 2011.
- Examined heart failure prevalence during the same period.
- Compared rates of decline in cardiovascular mortality and increase in heart failure prevalence.
- Cardiovascular disease mortality decreased significantly from 1970 to 2011.
- The rate of decline in mortality slowed dramatically starting in 2011.
- Heart failure prevalence has increased, indicating a growing health concern related to cardiovascular disease.
Structured PICO
P
Population
United States population (focus on cardiovascular mortality related to heart failure)
O
Outcome
Cardiovascular mortality related to heart failurehard clinical
Highlights the slowing decline in cardiovascular mortality and increasing prevalence of heart failure in the United States since 2011.
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Abstract
During the first decade of the 21st century, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality decreased significantly in the United States, continuing a trend since 1970. However, the rate of decline slowed dramatically in 2011 (1)1. Simultaneously, heart failure (HF) prevalence increased and is projected
Expert Takes1 quote
“The shifts in age distribution, worsening in mortality rates, widening racial and ethnic disparities –which may be a reflection of systematic and structural barriers to appropriate and timely health care – should be a wake-up call for clinicians, payers, legislators, funding agencies, and the overall healthcare system. We need to address worsening trends in heart failure, not only through medical interventions and properly implemented GDMT, but by tackling the growing challenges in health care regarding access and coverage for appropriate and timely care, the effect of mis-incentivization of wrong care such as inappropriate discontinuation of therapies, and social determinants of health that are driving widening disparities.”