Race-ethnicity, age, and heart failure in ischemic stroke

Race-ethnic disparities contribute to cardiovascular morbidity. Heart failure (HF) is highly prevalent in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and associated with worse outcomes. We hypothesized race-ethnic differences exist in the prevalence of HF among patients with AIS, particularly in younger patients, and in a manner not fully explained by cardiovascular profiles.

Patients with AIS in the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2019) were categorized as young (<50 years), middle (50-64) and older (≥65) age. Interaction between age and race-ethnicity on the presence of comorbid HF was examined, adjusting for vascular risk factors. Effect modification on in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospitalization across race-ethnic groups and age was also examined.

Of 398,470 AIS patients, 16.2 % had HF. HF patients were older (73.7 vs. 69.5 years, P < 0.001), had a lower proportion of White, Hispanic and Asian/PI individuals but a larger proportion of patients of Black race (21.0 vs. 16.4 %, P < 0.001). Race-ethnicity modified the relationship between HF and age (P_interaction < 0.001). Stroke patients of Black race had the greatest odds of having HF across all age groups, however differences between Black and White patients were most pronounced in young adults (OR: 2.08, 95 % CI: 1.91-2.27) after adjusting for vascular risk factors. Among patients with HF, Black race was associated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality but greater likelihood of prolonged hospitalization at middle and older age.

HF is highly prevalent in stroke patients of Black race, particularly in younger cohorts, and in a manner not fully explained by cardiovascular profiles.