Latest News

  • Home
  • Food & Health
  • Location specific: Can heart failure risk depend on where you live?
Location specific: Can heart failure risk depend on where you live?
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 IST
Location specific: Can heart failure risk depend on where you live?

 
Researchers noted that residents living in more socioeconomically deprived areas were at the highest risk for heart failure

 
 

A new study suggests that the risk of developing heart failure also depends on where we live.
 
The research compared census tract data on socioeconomic deprivation - a clustering of neighborhood-level variables of wealth, education, occupation and housing patterns - and heart failure rates among 27,078 middle-aged whites and African-Americans from the Southeastern states.
 
Researchers grouped the participants (average age 55, 69 % African-American, 63 % women) in three groups ranging from the least-deprived to the most-deprived neighborhoods. During an average follow-up of more than five years, 4,300 participants were diagnosed with heart failure.
 
Researchers noted that residents living in more socioeconomically deprived areas were at the highest risk for heart failure. As neighborhood socioeconomic factors worsened between one group to the next, researchers noted a 12 % increase in risk of heart failure. After adjusting for other factors, researchers say 4.8 % of the variance in heart-failure risk was explained by neighborhood factors.
 
“There is existing evidence suggesting strong, independent associations between personal socioeconomic status - like education, income level and occupation - and risks of heart failure and many other chronic diseases,” said Loren Lipworth, the study’s co-senior author.
 
“But what this study adds is evidence suggesting that characteristics of your place of residence, actually also play a significant role in influencing the risk of heart failure over and above the role of your own individual socioeconomic characteristics,” she said. “It opens the door for possible interventions that center on preventive measures in the community.”
 
Study participants were from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS) - an ongoing prospective investigation of cancer and other chronic conditions in a largely resource-limited, underinsured group of recruits in 12 Southeastern states.
 
More than 50 % of the participants studied lived in the most deprived neighborhoods. 70% of residents studied earned less than $15,000 a year. Researchers suggest residents may benefit most from improvements in community resources such as exercise facilities, healthy food outlets and medical facilities.
 
“Increased and improved access to community-level resources could mitigate cardiovascular disease risk factors like obesity, hypertension and diabetes,” said Elvis Akwo, first author of the study. “Improved community-level resources may ultimately reduce the risk of heart failure in these communities.”
 
The focus on public policy and prevention may have the greatest potential to mitigate the burden of cardiovascular disease and improve overall health, researchers said. An accompanying editorial by Wayne Rosamond Ph.D.; M.S. and Anna Johnson, Ph.D.; MSPH, said this research adds an important aspect to our understanding of the role of neighborhood in health by focusing on low-income neighborhoods.
 
“By conducting this study in a predominantly low socioeconomic status (SES) population, the potential for bias from individual SES is reduced, allowing for a direct interpretation of associations of neighborhood aspects with heart failure incidence,” Rosasmond and Johnson wrote. The findings have been published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
12 Early Signs Of Lung Cancer To Never Ignore

Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...

Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
11 Surprising Benefits Of Wood Apple Or Bael Fruit

The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...

Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
10 Amazing Benefits Of Bael (Kaitha)

Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...

Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
These 7 Remedies Can Remove The Milia (Milk Spots) From Your Face

Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...

Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
 

 
 

More in Food & Health

 Article
25 percentage dip in luxury property prices likely after demonetisation

The demonetisation move is probably going to hit extravagance properties. Costs are probably going to plunge by as much as 25% to 30% as merchants battle to offload...

Recently posted. 673 views . 14 min read
 

 Article
The owner of Kerala’s biggest house died of a massive heart attack far away from home in Dubai.

The death on April 23 was confirmed people close to Joy Arakkal, owner of the Arakkal Palace in Kerala’s Waynad district. He was 54.  

Recently posted. 556 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
TCS, Infosys used unfair means to corner majority H-1B visas, alleges US

The US administration hs defendant the businesses of golf shot further tickets within the lottery system - quite the visas they need - so the lion's sh...

Recently posted. 630 views . 22 min read
 

 Reviews
5 Best Immersion Water Heater Reviews in India 2018



Recently posted . 1K views . 101 min read
 

 Article
At 5,360 meters above sea level, Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line to be world’s highest

The project will include 74 tunnels, 124 major bridges and 396 minor bridges, according to the first phase of the survey done for the project.

Recently posted. 660 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
CBSE class 10, 12 board exams start today, 'Exam Locator App' propelled to help understudies

New Delhi: The board examinations for class 10 and 12 understudies of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will start from Thursday. Upwards of 8....

Recently posted. 504 views . 5 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.
Carrie Bradshaw

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top