Researchers reviewed data from 247 U.S. hospitals in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure program from 2005 to 2010. They divided Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients into groups based on preserved or reduced ejection fraction.
The researchers found, among patients with normal heart function, Hispanic patients were 50 percent less likely than non-Hispanic whites to die during their hospital stays, even though there were no major differences in quality of care. The researchers did note, however, that there were no differences in hospital survival between Hispanic and non-Hispanic heart failure patients with reduced heart function.
Researchers suggest one possible reason for improved survival among Hispanics with normal heart function is that they tend to be younger and may not be as sick as hospitalized white patients.
Separately, the researchers also found quality of care at Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure hospitals improved consistently during the five years of the study.
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