New study shows Black heart patients less likely to receive medical assistance

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – According to a new study, black heart failure patients are less likely to get advanced therapies than white patients.

The study was published Wednesday in the journal “Circulation: Heart Failure.”

It found white people were twice as likely as black people to get a heart transplant or a ventricular assist device.

A ventricular assist device is a mechanical heart pump often used for patients with end-stage heart failure.

Researchers found a heart transplant or a ventricular assist device was performed in 11 percent of black patients compared with 22 percent of white patients.

Patients’ preferences for ventricular assist devices, heart transplants, or other therapies did not affect the results.

Death rates were similar among black and white patients.