Heart disease may be the leading cause of death, but through advocacy, patient-centered care and systemic change, champions of cardiac care are working to save lives and close healthcare gaps.
During the five minutes you take to read this story, nearly 10 people will die from heart disease, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately one in every five deaths despite decades of medical advancements and public health campaigns. The staggering mortality statistics underscore an urgent crisis—one that impacts millions of Americans regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic status.
The Future of America’s Heart Health is Troubling
By 2050, more than 184 million adults—over 61% of the population—are expected to have some form of cardiovascular disease. This increase is driven by a combination of aging demographics and rising risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes—two of the most significant contributors to heart disease. Both conditions are expected to experience rapid increases between 2025 and 2030.
These conditions are often preventable with lifestyle modifications, but they are becoming more widespread due to systemic barriers to preventive care—lack of health care coverage, financial access to physicians, food insecurity and household incomes below the poverty line were disproportionately experienced by marginalized groups.
Healthcare professionals continue to push the boundaries of cardiovascular treatment and patient access. Advocacy efforts and expanding access to cardiac care for uninsured individuals offer a model for bridging gaps in healthcare and saving lives.
Bringing Essential Heart Health Care to Uninsured Patients
Tony Anno, DNP ’14, is an expert in cardiac electrophysiology and a core faculty member in Walden University’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Having spent 20 years in the medical device industry before earning his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Walden, Dr. Anno saw firsthand the gaps in cardiac care, particularly for uninsured patients.
“There are considerable barriers,” he explains. “One of the biggest is insurance—these procedures are costly, and without coverage, patients simply don’t get the care they need.”
To address this, Dr. Anno established a volunteer-run cardiac device clinic, ensuring uninsured and undocumented patients receive life-saving care. For over 13 years, he has provided free monitoring and treatment for patients who otherwise would have no options.
Dr. Anno's clinic operates through the Health Partnership Clinic, a hybrid volunteer initiative where he donates his time and expertise to patients who cannot afford to manage their cardiac devices. Many of these individuals have pacemakers or defibrillators that require ongoing care, but without insurance, they face limited options.
“A pacemaker or defibrillator can save a life, but it’s not a one-time fix,” Dr. Anno says. “Patients need regular monitoring, battery changes, and adjustments to ensure their device is working properly.”
Without access to proper follow-up care, these patients are at severe risk of complications. Through his clinic, Dr. Anno helps bridge this gap, offering check-ups, device programming and emergency interventions at no cost. His work extends beyond clinical care—he also advocates for systemic change, pushing for better policies that support uninsured patients in accessing cardiac services.
Read Dr. Anno’s doctoral study, The Creation of a Pacemaker Clinic at a Federally Funded Patient-Centered Medical Home: A Quality Improvement Project.
Women Are at Higher Risk for Heart Attacks
Similarly, Emmanuel Isang, MD ’14, a cardiologist from Ross University School of Medicine, stresses the importance of patient-centered advocacy.
“The biggest way we can advocate is by educating patients. Many people don’t recognize their symptoms, and by the time they do, it’s often too late,” he says.
One significant point of emphasis he stresses is that heart disease presents differently among different demographics—women, for example, are more likely to experience “silent” heart attacks without the classic chest pain symptoms.
Adtalem sponsors the American Heart Association’s signature women's initiative, Go Red for Women, addressing the awareness and clinical care gaps of women’s greatest health threat.
Beyond individual care, systemic efforts play a crucial role in bridging healthcare disparities. Dr. Isang has involved himself in outreach programs providing screenings, risk assessments and education to make a difference.
“We offer EKGs, blood pressure monitoring and lab tests. For many patients, this is the first step in understanding their risk and taking proactive measures,” he explains. He also contributes to community outreach events that provide not only medical screenings but also job placement assistance, aiming to address the socioeconomic determinants of health.
Learn more about how Adtalem is Championing Care.
For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.
