What are the disparities observed in terms of access to cardiac procedures and cardiologists among individuals of lower socioeconomic status and ethnic minorities?
African Americans and Hispanics are 10% to 40% less likely to receive outpatient secondary prevention therapies for cardiovascular disease, and have been observed to have lower rates of diagnostic and interventional services compared to individuals of higher socioeconomic status. This is likely due to fewer healthcare resources, worse general health and cardiac risk profiles, and less knowledge about SIHD symptoms among individuals of lower socioeconomic status and ethnic minorities.