Disparities in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Potential Acute Coronary Syndrome: It Matters if You Are Black or White

Overview

Journal Heart Lung

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2014 Jul 5

PMID 24992880

Citations 18

Authors

Holli A DeVon

Larisa A Burke

Heather Nelson

Julie J Zerwic

Barth Riley

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore disparities between non-Hispanic Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites presenting to the emergency department (ED) with potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Background: Individuals with fewer resources have worse health outcomes and these individuals are disproportionately those of color.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled 663 patients in four EDs. Clinical presentation, treatment, and patient-reported outcome variables were measured at baseline, 1, and 6 months.

Results: Blacks with confirmed ACS were younger; had lower income; less education; more risk factors; more symptoms, and longer prehospital delay at presentation compared to Whites. Blacks experiencing palpitations, unusual fatigue, and chest pain were more than 3 times as likely as Whites to have ACS confirmed. Blacks with ACS had more clinic visits and more symptoms 1 month following discharge.

Conclusions: Significant racial disparities remain in clinical presentation and outcomes for Blacks compared to Whites presenting to the ED with symptoms suggestive of ACS.

Citing Articles

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