Disparities in cardiovascular care: Past, present, and solutions.

Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States since the early 20th century. With advances in prevention and treatment, cardiovascular mortality rates are on the decline. Nevertheless, disparities in care persist, with devastating impact in select populations in the United States. This paper reviews the impact of disparate care on risk-factor burden, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiovascular research.