Racial/Ethnic Considerations in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

The consideration of race/ethnicity differences in the prevalence, management, and outcome of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is essential in evaluating related disparities. While racial/ethnic categories are imperfect for determining perceived genetic differences, race/ethnicity descriptions can highlight social similarities and perceived physiological differences, often revealing disparate treatment and outcomes. As the reasons for racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease are challenging to understand and multilevel in complexity, this chapter will review racial/ethnic differences in the epidemiology, health behaviors, risk factors, and treatment of cardiovascular disease in the US populations. As much of the attributable risk of worsening disparate racial/ethnic outcomes in ASCVD is secondary to risk factor control, there are ample opportunities to improve racial/ethnic disparities through primary prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors. Detailing these behaviors is essential in investigating ASCVD disparities among racial/ethnic groups. While public health campaigns have successfully decreased the cardiovascular disease burden implicated by adverse risk behaviors, personal patterns of lifestyle continue to be substantial factors affecting the degree of ASCVD disparities among all racial/ethnic groups. Lessening barriers to healthcare access, addressing social determinants of health, and overcoming differential medical treatments among minority racial/ethnic populations will further the ultimate mission of achieving health equity in all populations.