Heart guidance for American Indian, Alaska Native women

The American Heart Association (AHA) has published guidance for clinicians who provide maternal care to members of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities.

“I think this inaugural report on cardiac disease reflects the AHA’s recognition of the distinct characteristics of this population. Our target audience is anyone who cares for Native communities in the United States, in particular primary care physicians within Indian country or cardiologists who might see these patients,” said Dr. Jason Deen, associate professor (Cardiology) and co-author of the guidelines.

The AHA paper offers recommendations to clinicians about how to counsel American Indian and Alaska Native women to lead heart-healthy lives — framed in context of the unique constellation of risk factors that confront these communities in pregnancy and in life.

“There are measurable health disparities in cardiovascular disease prevalence and outcomes in American Indian and Alaska Native women," said Deen. "These all are centered around the social determinants of health, which for this population are mainly a result of systemic racism.”