Table 32: Four common ethnic minority groups in Canada
Ethnic Population: South Asians

Risk factors for HF Prevention: Obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Language spoken and ethnocultural considerations: Predominantly English, family involvement important

Treatment of HF: Follow guidelines.

Ethnic Population: Chinese

Risk factors for HF Prevention: Hypertension, however coronary heart disease and diabetes increasingly prevalent

Language spoken and ethnocultural considerations: Mostly Cantonese and Mandarin, family involvement very important

Treatment of HF: Follow guidelines. Beware of concurrent traditional Chinese medicine

Ethnic Population: Black

Risk factors for HF Prevention: Hypertension

Language spoken and ethnocultural considerations: English or French

Treatment of HF: Follow guidelines. Consider adding hydralazine-nitrate in those with HF and reduced ejection fraction; uncertainty remains if A-HeFT results apply to all self-identified black populations

Ethnic Population: Aboriginals

Risk factors for HF Prevention: Obesity and diabetes

Language spoken and ethnocultural considerations: English, Cree and Ojibwe are among many spoken languages in Canada. May need to involve family members and community representatives

Treatment of HF: Follow guidelines.

A-HeFT, African-American Heart Failure Trial;
HF, heart failure.