Adults living in rural America have 19 percent more…
Adults living in rural America have a 19 percent higher risk of heart failure than those living in urban areas, according to a large observational study funded by the US National Institutes of Health, and rural black men at particularly high risk. is: 34 percent. ,
The study, looking at the relationship between living in rural America and early cases of heart failure, underscores the importance of developing a more personalized approach to heart failure prevention among rural residents, especially those black men. .
,We did not expect a difference of this magnitude in heart failure among rural communities compared with urban communities, particularly among black men living in rural areas. This study makes it clear that we need tools or interventions specifically designed to prevent heart failure in rural populations, especially among black men living in these areas.“, explained veronique l roger, is the lead author of the study, which is published in the scientific journal ‘JAMA Cardiology’.
Researchers compared rates of new onset heart failure among rural and urban residents of 12 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) .
The population, which consisted of 27,115 adults without heart failure at enrollment, was followed for approximately 13 years. About 20 percent of participants lived in rural areas; The rest, in urban areas. About 69 percent were black adults recruited from community health centers that serve medically underserved populations.
At the end of the study period, researchers found that living in the rural United States increased the risk of heart failure in both black women and men, even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic status. Even after
generally, Rural residents had a nearly 19 percent higher risk of heart failure than their urban counterparts., However, black men living in rural areas had the highest risk: 34 percent more heart failure than black men living in urban areas.
The study showed that rural white women had a 22 percent higher risk of heart failure than urban white women, and black women had an 18 percent higher risk than urban black women. No association was found between rural living and the risk of heart failure in white men.
The exact reasons for these rural-urban health disparities are unclear and are still being studied., According to the researchers, several factors may be at play, including structural racism, disparities in access to healthcare, and a lack of grocery stores that provide affordable and healthy food.
Heart failure is a chronic and progressive disease that develops when the heart does not pump enough blood for the body’s needs. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath during daily activities or difficulty breathing when lying down. Heart failure can be prevented by following a heart-healthy lifestyle.
