Smiling woman with hoop earrings and afro.

Coronary artery disease

See who’s at risk for getting coronary artery disease (CAD) and the concerning disparities in treatment rates. And find insights to help you understand how to better reach undertreated women and people of color.

Who’s at risk?

In the United States, rates of hospitalization and mortality as a result of CAD have increased for non-whites but decreased for whites.¹

Black men and women were 30%² more likely to die of heart disease, including CAD, than non-Hispanic and Latinx white men and women.

By the time they’re 75, a woman’s risk of death from CAD is the same – or more than – a man’s risk.³

Blacks, Hispanic and Latinx, and Asians are less likely to recognize the five key signs of a heart attack when compared to whites.⁴

Who’s going untreated?

Despite having mortality benefits with therapy, women are less likely to receive appropriate treatment referrals following a heart attack than men.⁵

A 2004-2011 study shows that Black patients had a 30% longer waiting time than white patients when seeking care for CAD symptoms.⁶

Women experience longer wait times to treatment (door to balloon time) and lower rates of guideline-directed therapy than men, leading to worse care outcomes.⁶

Insight from underserved patients with CAD

Barriers to accessing healthcare for CAD

Our market research study found that people with CAD identify these top obstacles in getting care after diagnosis:

21% cite cost of healthcare or insurance
19% cite physical limitations
17% cite lack of specialists in the area

Barriers causing delays to healthcare for CAD

Those who delayed getting care gave this insight:

77% said they didn’t think they could possibly have CAD
46% said they didn’t think that their CAD was that bad
26% said they didn’t seek care when they had symptoms

Barriers causing delays to treatment for CAD

The study found that 47% of patients decided to put off surgery or a procedure for as long as possible in the past, with these reasons most often cited:

36% have a problem getting care
15% wanted help understanding insurance coverage
23% cited having other health conditions

What can help underserved patients with CAD

Give educational materials

21% want educational materials about treatment options, clinical trials and care locations
19% want online education about health issues and conditions
19% want local financial support access

Start by giving materials we’ve created, such as Black Americans and heart disease, Latino Americans and heart disease, and Women and heart disease.

Increase communication and access

26% want a phone call from a health specialist
38% wish they knew more about treatment options
64% want printed, take-home materials

Connect with your patients

19% of people with CAD get nervous around doctors, which means that they might not feel comfortable telling you about symptoms or concerns
As you know, that’s important since CAD often progresses over many years and you could intervene early if given the chance

Provider resources

What do patients say is needed to break down barriers to care? Find fast facts about what underserved patients say prevent them from following the path to specialty care.

Explore provider resources

Patient resources

Help referring physicians and primary care providers engage underserved patients in their care and improve their access to specialty care.

Explore patient resources

Get started

Dedicated health equity consultants from Boston Scientific can help you build an outreach effort specifically designed to reach those most at-risk within your community.

References: