Heart Failure in Black Americans: Tips for Talking to Your Doctor

Talking to your healthcare provider about heart failure may be intimidating. But when it comes to heart health, it’s very important to talk openly so that you can play an active role in your treatment plan. 

Black Americans may face additional challenges talking openly with their doctors. There are many factors involved, but one factor is lingering distrust from unethical experiments that took place in history. 

That said, Black Americans generally have higher rates of heart failure than other races in the U.S. Being able to communicate honestly with providers may help lead to an earlier diagnosis, which may improve treatment outcomes.

What are tips for talking to your doctor about heart failure?

“You’re sitting face to face with someone who’s basically in charge of your health and can be the bearer of good or bad news,” says Pilar Stevens-Haynes, MD, Cardiologist at South Nassau Community Hospital in Oceanside, New York. “Sometimes all the questions and all the things that you think about at home go right out of the window.”

That’s why she suggests the following tips to help you talk to your doctor about heart failure, including:

• Write down your questions ahead of time, or send them via email

• Bring a trusted friend or family member who can help you remember your questions or take notes

• Play an active role in your treatment decisions

• Be honest with your doctor about your concerns and challenges with your treatment plan

• Seek a second or third opinion if necessary

• Set treatment goals with your care team

Dr. Stevens-Haynes stresses that you should seek to have a co-management relationship with your provider and care team when it comes to your treatment for heart failure. The more information you can give your provider about your routine, lifestyle, diet, and so on, the better they can adapt your treatment regimen to your needs.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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