Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Published on: June 10, 2025
Ethnic disparity in the clinical characteristics of patients with heart failure
Israel Gotsman1,2, Sarit Avishai-Eliner2, Refat Jabara1,2
1Heart Institute, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Heart failure (HF) affects Arab and Jewish populations similarly in prevalence, but Arabs develop HF younger with higher diabetes and obesity rates. Outcomes remain comparable, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Ethnic Health Disparities
Background:
- The clinical characteristics of heart failure (HF) patients across different ethnic groups in Israel remain understudied.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted healthcare strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the clinical characteristics of Arab and Jewish patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure (HF) in Israel.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 6773 heart failure patients from a Jerusalem health maintenance organization was analyzed.
- Data included patient demographics, HF prevalence, risk factors (diabetes, obesity), prescribed medications, and clinical outcomes (hospitalizations, mortality).
Main Results:
- Overall HF prevalence was similar between Jewish and Arab populations, but significantly higher in younger Arab age groups (50-70 years).
- Arab patients developed HF approximately 10 years earlier, with higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
- While medication adherence was similar, Arab patients had elevated glucose and cholesterol levels. Cardiovascular hospitalizations and mortality were higher in Arab men.
Conclusions:
- Arab individuals experience heart failure at a younger age and present with a greater burden of diabetes and obesity compared to Jewish individuals.
- Despite these differences, standard care and overall clinical outcomes are comparable between the groups.
- Implementing preventive strategies focused on reducing diabetes and obesity in the Arab population is recommended to mitigate ethnic disparities in HF.
Aims:
The characteristics of heart failure (HF) patients of different ethnic backgrounds in Israel are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Arab vs. Jewish patients with chronic HF.
Methods And Results:
Patients with a diagnosis of HF at a health maintenance organization in Jerusalem, Israel were evaluated. All patients were followed for cardiac-related hospitalizations and death. The study cohort included 6773 HF patients; 4991 (74%) were Jewish and 1735 (26%) were Arab. The overall prevalence of HF in the Jewish vs. Arab population was similar (women, 4.3% vs. 4.7%, respectively, P = 0.06; men, 5.3% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.61). The prevalence of HF was significantly higher in Arab subjects of younger age groups (50-70 years). Arabs developed HF on average 10 years earlier and had a significantly higher rate of diabetes and obesity. Standard of care based on prescribed medications was similar between the ethnic groups. Glucose and cholesterol levels were higher in the Arab cohort. Mortality was similar between the groups at median follow-up (576 days), with the exception of cardiovascular hospitalizations and death that were higher in Arab men.
Conclusions:
Arab subjects develop HF at a much younger age compared with their Jewish counterparts and have a higher prevalence of diabetes and obesity. Standard of care and clinical outcome are comparable. Implementation of prevention programmes to reduce risk factors, particularly diabetes and obesity, may help reduce the disparity between Arabs and Jews.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
01:30Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions