Nearly half of all counties in the United States do not have a single practicing cardiologist, according to new data published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Counties with no cardiologists tend to be “rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged,” researchers noted, and associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. “Our findings really highlight the critical need to find ways to mitigate deep disparities to improve cardiovascular disease outcomes for Americans living in rural and disadvantaged areas,” co-author Haider J. Warraich, MD, an associate physician with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant professor with Harvard Medical School, said in a prepared statement. “Policy reforms, such as financial incentives to clinicians to practice in areas with marginal access or better leveraging telemedicine are potential options. The integration and coordination of cardiovascular care—especially with regard to prevention and risk modification—with the primary care is crucial.” The Acarix CADScor System offers a solution to easily and quickly rule out significant coronary artery disease at point of care, allowing for immediate risk stratification prior to potential secondary evaluation. #Acarix #CADScorSystem #CADScor #pointofcare #ruralhealth #riskstratification #coronaryarterydisease #CAD
Counties with no cardiologists tend to be “rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged,” researchers noted. The group called for policy reform and new technologies to help address the issue in JACC, a journal from the American College of Cardiology