Does race have an impact on congestive heart failure?
Yes. Comparing the incidence and course of heart failure between Caucasian and black Americans is provocative. Studies have found that, in Caucasian patients, heart failure most often occurs as a result of coronary artery disease, such that this condition develops directly into systolic heart failure. Black Americans, however, tend to progress more gradually from hypertension, or high blood pressure, to heart-wall thickening, to diastolic heart failure and finally to systolic heart failure. Statistics also show black American heart-failure patients to be younger and more likely female, as compared to Caucasian patients. In addition, black Americans with heart failure are more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. While some studies have shown that black Americans have higher heart failure mortality rates than whites, other studies have shown similar survival rates between the two racial groups. The reasons for these differences are still being investigated.

What treatments for congestive heart failure may soon be available?
A variety of new therapies are currently being studied for use in treating heart failure. They include vascular endothelial growth factor, a total artificial heart, a heart jacket and heart-valve repair. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a medication that can be injected directly into the heart or intravenously. In studies, it has shown some promise in the production of new blood vessels. Research is ongoing.