Etiology and characteristics of congestive heart failure in blacks

Systemic hypertension is the most common cause of CHF in blacks. Left ventricular hypertrophy is highly prevalent in black patients with CHF. Left ventricular hypertrophy and nonischemic cardiomyopathy are important factors in the high risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality in blacks. Socioeconomic problems are common in black patients with CHF, and CHF substantially contributes to these problems.