PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sharma, Alok AU - Colvin-Adams, Monica AU - Yancy, Clyde W. TI - Heart failure in African Americans: Disparities can be overcome AID - 10.3949/ccjm.81a.13045 DP - 2014 May 01 TA - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine PG - 301--311 VI - 81 IP - 5 4099 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/81/5/301.short 4100 - http://www.ccjm.org/content/81/5/301.full SO - Cleve Clin J Med2014 May 01; 81 AB - African Americans are disproportionately affected by heart failure, with a high prevalence at an early age. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease are all common in African Americans and all predispose to heart failure. Neurohormonal imbalances, endothelial dysfunction, genetic polymorphisms, and socioeconomic factors also contribute. In general, the same evidence-based treatment guidelines that apply to white patients with heart failure also apply to African Americans. However, the combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate is advised specifically for African Americans.