While heart bypass surgery has become safer over the years, recent research indicates that not everyone benefits equally. A new study finds that Black patients face a 22 percent higher risk of dying in the hospital after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a common heart procedure.

Dr. Vinicius Moreira, lead author and chief anesthesiology resident at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, presented these findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Philadelphia. “Black patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery experience higher rates of serious postoperative complications, including death and cardiac arrest. These findings demand immediate action from health care systems and governments,” they said, citing shocking statistics showing that “black patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery experience higher rates of serious postoperative complications, including death and cardiac arrest.” “

The study analyzed data from more than 1.2 million patients in the United States who had bypass surgery between 2016 and 2021. Of these patients, 76 percent were white, 7.4 percent were Hispanic, and 6.75 percent were black. On average, black patients undergoing this procedure were about 63 years old, while white patients were 77 years old. Despite younger age, black patients were more likely to experience fatal outcomes after surgery.

According to the study, 3.2 percent of black patients died soon after the operation, compared with 2.4 percent of white patients and 2.5 percent of Hispanic patients. In addition to the increased risk of death, black patients were 23 percent more likely to suffer cardiac arrest after surgery. Length of hospital stay also varies, with black patients staying an average of 11.8 days, while white patients stay 9.6 days and Hispanic patients stay 10.7 days.

Longer hospital stays result in increased medical costs. The study found that the average hospital bill for a black patient was $23,000 higher than that of a white patient. Hispanic patients faced even higher costs, with bills averaging $78,000 higher than their white counterparts.

Dr. Moreira also emphasized the gap in access to surgery. “We found that compared to white patients, a lower proportion of black patients had bypass surgery when indicated,” he said. This raises concerns about potential barriers to care that minority groups may face in accessing life-saving procedures.

The study calls for modern health care policies to address these disparities by improving the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic conditions that disproportionately affect black and minority populations. Dr. Moreira suggested that healthcare providers could develop better preventive measures to reduce the risk of complications for high-risk patients, such as addressing obesity, which is a known factor in post-operative complications.

Although the study’s findings were presented at a medical conference and have not yet been peer-reviewed, they reflect the need for action to close the health care gap and ensure equitable treatment outcomes for all. Reducing health disparities in cardiovascular care, particularly for minority groups, is an important step toward achieving better long-term health outcomes.

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.