Racial disparities in cardiovascular disease are unjust, systematic, and preventable. Social determinants are a primary cause of health disparities, and these include factors such as structural and overt racism. Despite a number of efforts implemented over the past several decades, disparities in cardiovascular disease care and outcomes persist, pervading more the outpatient rather than the inpatient setting, thus putting racial and ethnic minority groups at risk for hospital readmissions. In this article, we discuss differences in care and outcomes of racial and ethnic minority groups in both of these settings through a review of registries. Furthermore, we explore potential factors that connote a revolving door phenomenon for those whose adverse outpatient environment puts them at risk for hospital readmissions. Additionally, we review promising strategies, as well as actionable items at the policy, clinical, and educational levels aimed at locking this revolving door.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. It remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and portends worse outcomes in women than men. Disparities exist in every stage of science, from bench research to the editorial board of major journals and in every cardiovascular subspecialty. This review summarizes differences in cardiovascular risk factors and disparities in management and outcomes of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, aortic stenosis, and atrial fibrillation. It also provides an overview of female representation as participants and leaders of clinical trials, editorial boards, and academic institutions. Strategies to overcome these disparities are proposed with examples of successful programs.

The pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is complex and poorly understood. There is a high prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in patients with HFpEF, and the presence of DM has been shown to increase mortality of patients with HFpEF by 30%-50% even after adjustment for age, gender, hospital factors, and other patient characteristics. Since the prevalence of both entities is increasing worldwide, there is a need to explore their intricate relationship in order to elucidate potential management strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this duo. In this review article, we explore the role of DM in the pathophysiology of HFpEF, ethnic and gender differences, and some therapeutic strategies in the management of patients with HFpEF and DM.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease histologically characterized by non-caseating granulomas. Although it usually affects the lungs, it can affect any organ system and present with a wide variety of symptoms. Heerfordt-Waldenström Syndrome, or uveoparotid fever, is a rare form of sarcoidosis that presents with a combination of fever, parotitis, facial paralysis, and uveitis. In this case report, we demonstrate a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis in a patient who presents with both the aforementioned syndrome and cardiac involvement. This case serves to highlight the importance of identifying the various clinical manifestations and management of systemic sarcoidosis.