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Patient resources

These ready-to-print patient education materials can inform patients

Everyone deserves to be made aware of healthcare disparities

Close the Gap worked with the epidemiological team at the University of Washington’s Strategic Analysis, Research & Training (START) Center. We also collaborated with Boston Scientific’s clinical and health economic teams to create patient educational materials.

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Cardiovascular disease is the top killer of Black Americans in the United States1

Race and ethnicity

PDF with What Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? and Common Symptoms of CAD.

Black Americans and heart disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when cholesterol-containing deposits (plaque) build up on the inner walls of coronary arteries over time. Black Americans are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke than White Americans.2

Black Americans and heart disease (English PDF)
Black Americans and heart disease (Spanish PDF)

 

PDF with Common Symptoms of CAD.

Latino Americans and heart disease

Cardiovascular disease is the #2 killer of Hispanic and Latinx people in the United States behind cancer. And Hispanic and Latinx women are significantly less aware than white women that cardiovascular disease is their leading cause of death.3

Latino Americans and heart disease (English PDF)
Latino Americans and heart disease (Spanish PDF)

 

PDF with What is Heart Failure? and Common Symptoms of Heart Failure for Hispanics/Latinos.

Heart failure in Hispanics Latinos

Heart failure can be associated with risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, in Hispanics/ Latinos in the United States.

Heart failure in Hispanics Latinos (English PDF)
Heart failure in Hispanics Latinos (Spanish PDF)

PDF with Common Symptoms of Heart Failure for Black Americans.

Heart failure in the Black community

Young Black American men and women (35-64 years), have a higher death rate than white men and women respectively from heart failure.7 This is a higher death rate from heart failure than any other demographic in the United States.

Heart Failure in the Black Community (English PDF)
Heart Failure in the Black Community (Spanish PDF)


Gender

PDF with Common Symptoms of CAD for Women.

Women and heart disease

Sometimes, coronary artery disease (CAD) can lead to a heart attack. While many people feel heart disease symptoms during stress, physical activity or even at rest, women often don’t have the same symptoms as men when having a heart attack.8

Women and heart disease (English PDF)
Women and heart disease (Spanish PDF)

 

PDF with Common Symptoms of Heart Failure for Women.

Heart failure in women

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition where the heart muscle is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. In the United States, one woman dies every minute from heart disease.

Heart failure in women (English PDF)
Heart failure in women (Spanish PDF)

 

PDF with What Is Atrial Fibrillation?

Black women and atrial fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is an ‘electrical issue’ that affects the two top chambers of the heart. AFIB increases the risk of stroke by 5x.5

Black women and AF (English PDF)
Black women and AF (Spanish PDF)

PDF with What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?, What Are the Causes of PAD?, What Are the Symptoms? and Risk Factors.

What women and people of color need to know about peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious circulation problem that affects the arteries that carry blood to the arms and legs. Blacks in the United States are twice as likely to have PAD than white people.7

Women, people of color and PAD (English PDF)
Women, people of color and PAD (Spanish PDF)

 


Questions for patients to ask

PDF with Check the Questions You'd Like to Ask Your Doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

Patients can print this checklist of heart disease-related questions they can ask their primary care providers or specialist, to help them move along the care pathway.

Questions for your doctor (English PDF)
Questions for your doctor (Spanish PDF)

See the Close the Gap patient site

Direct your patients to our patient-specific website for a personalized cardiovascular risk assessment, a Find a Doctor tool, and more.

Heart and vascular disease insights

At-a-glance insights into disease-specific risk factors and disparities can help you implement outreach plans that work for people living with and at risk of cardiovascular disease in your community.