Mini-literature on Cardiovascular Disease

The topic that i decided for my Capstone project is Cardiovascular disease in minority population. My rationale for selecting these particular subject matter is because it is not talked about in my community, the African American community. 

American Hospital Association (AHA) in an article published on Jan 18th, 2022, stated that Disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD)—the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally—are one of the starkest reminders of social injustices, and racial inequities, which continue to plague our society. People of color—including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, and others—experience varying degrees of social disadvantage that puts these groups at increased risk of CVD and poor disease outcomes, including mortality. 

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that approximately 82.6 million people in the United States currently have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it a leading cause of death for both men and women (Roger et al., 2010Links to an external site.). Common types of cardiovascular disease include coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, hypertension, and congestive heart failure (CHF).

NIH-National Library of Medicine in a study concluded that African Americans and hispanics, constituted the largest minority group that are severely plagued by CVD.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

Certain behaviors particular lifestyle, does contribute to the rising number of Black people being diagnosed with CVD at an alarming rate.  Cigarette smoking is known to cause hypertension.  Poor diet is a contributing factor to CVD.  Minorities are known for eating fried food. Culturally, blacks and Hispanic consume a great deal of carbohydrate. This are known factors that are associated to CVD. The demographic is a largely affected by CVD are adults in their 50s.

Cultural biases for CVD or healthcare in general are: Religious believes, language barrier, delay in treatment, lack of empathy.

The critical issues in acute and long-term care from a patient and provider perspectives are as follows:

Staff shortage: This is a problem that has persisted for a long time with no end insight. When there is a shortage of personnel to work, the clients or patients are not getting the quality care that should be provided. Poor benefits and pay incentives are also contributing factors in issues affecting acute and long-term care.

An inter-professional team can remedy this problem by working together and having good communications as it pertain to the individual patients progress. For instant, physical therapy service and nurses sharing ideas as to how to best care for patients. 

References:

 Zulqarnain, Javed, Muhammad, H. Maqsood. (Jan 18, 2022). American Hospital Association (AHA). Race, Racism, and Cardiovascular Health: Apply a Social Determinants of Health Framework to Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease.

NIH-National Library of Medicine 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)