A new prognostic model has identified specific risk factors for heart failure among Native American adults, shedding light on the disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease in this population. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, utilized data from the Strong Heart Study, the largest cohort of Native American adults in the U.S.
Researchers found that Native American communities experience heart failure rates two to three times higher than other U.S. cohorts. The model pinpointed several significant predictors of heart failure risk, including smoking, obesity, HbA1c levels, and albuminuria. These factors, when combined with diabetes diagnosis, remained strongly associated with incident heart failure for up to 28 years.
Dr. Irene Martinez-Morata, lead researcher from Columbia University, emphasized the importance of this tool in addressing health disparities: “Implementation of our proposed risk prediction scale in clinical practice can contribute to optimized risk assessment and to the development of preventive strategies to reduce heart failure events and deaths in American Indian communities.”
The study also highlighted the complex factors contributing to these disparities. “American Indian communities have suffered historical injustices in exposure to contaminants, health care accessibility and other sociodemographic factors, resulting in a long history of health disparities,” Martinez-Morata explained.
This research addresses a critical gap in epidemiological studies, as Native American communities have been historically underrepresented in medical research. By providing a more accurate assessment of heart failure risk in this population, the new tool could lead to better-targeted interventions and improved cardiovascular health outcomes for Native American adults.
See “New tool identifies specific risk factors for heart failure in Native American adults” (August 21, 2024)
