Mercedes R. Carnethon|Jia Pu|George Howard|Michelle A. Albert|Cheryl A.M. Anderson|Alain G. Bertoni|Mahasin S. Mujahid|Latha Palaniappan|Herman A. Taylor|Monte S. Willis|Clyde W. Yancy
Cardiovascular Health in African Americans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
background purpose populationwide reductions cardiovascular disease incidence mortality shared equally african americans burden cardiovascular disease african american community remains high primary cause disparities life expectancy african americans whites objectives present scientific statement describe cardiovascular health african americans highlight unique considerations disease prevention management method primary sources information identified pubmedmedline online sources centers disease control prevention results higher prevalence traditional cardiovascular risk factors eg hypertension diabetes mellitus obesity atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk underlies relatively earlier age onset cardiovascular diseases among african americans hypertension particular highly prevalent among african americans contributes directly notable disparities stroke heart failure peripheral artery disease among african americans despite availability effective pharmacotherapies indications tailored pharmacotherapies african americans eg heart failure medications disease management less effective among african americans yielding higher mortality explanations persistent disparities cardiovascular disease multifactorial span individual level social environment conclusions strategies needed promote equity cardiovascular health african americans require input broad set stakeholders including clinicians researchers across multiple disciplines