Transition from Hypertension to Heart Failure and Impact of Racial Disparities

Hypertension is the major attributable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including heart failure (HF). As blood pressure increases, the risk of HF increases concomitantly. The incidence of HF continues to increase as people are living longer with comorbid diseases, and HF is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Black adults are disproportionately affected by hypertension and HF and develop CVD at younger ages compared to White adults. There are several factors which may contribute to these disparities including metabolic factors and sociodemographic factors. Treatment of hypertension can reduce the risk for HF. Lifestyle modification can be effective at reducing the risk of both hypertension and subsequent HF. Anti-hypertensive medications are available which are effective, safe, and cost-effective. Despite wide recognition that hypertension is a strong risk factor for HF, effective treatments for hypertension, and guideline recommendations for better blood pressure control, hypertension control rates remain poor in the United States. In this paper, we discuss the relationships between hypertension and HF, the impact of racial disparities on hypertension and HF, and prevention and treatment strategies. Keywords: Anti-hypertensive-medications, Blood-Pressure (BP), Ejection- Fraction (EF), Heart- Failure, Hypertension, Hypertrophy, Racial- Disparities
INTRODUCTION Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) worldwide. Normal blood pressure (BP) in adults is defined as a systolic BP (SBP) < 120 mmHg and a [...]