Cardiac care improving faster than general health

Cardiac care is improving significantly in the United States, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

AHRQ's 2011 report on healthcare quality and disparities cites reduced hospital admissions for congestive heart failure, fewer hospital deaths due to heart attack, and improved timeliness by hospitals in providing angioplasty to patients who have had myocardial infarctions. In addition, the report found fewer racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular care than in care for other conditions.

The report also found, however, that overall healthcare quality is improving at a rate of only 2.5% and that many Americans lack access to care or receive suboptimal care because of disparities based on race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other factors.