Objective:

To discuss the challenges faced by patients of low socioeconomic status (SES) and identify resources and strategies for clinicians to improve cardiovascular health (CVH) guided by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) domains.

Approach:

• Literature Review: A focused literature review was conducted on the impact of socioeconomic disparities on the eight domains of Life's Essential 8, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Key Findings:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with socioeconomic disparities affecting outcomes.
• Socioeconomic status (SES) influences health behaviors and access to care, contributing to gaps in cardiovascular health.
• Food insecurity significantly correlates with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease.
• Tools like the AHA's PREVENT risk calculator can help incorporate social deprivation indices into cardiovascular risk assessments.

Interpretation:

Socioeconomic factors play a role in cardiovascular health, necessitating a multifaceted approach that includes communication, social support, and community resources.

Limitations:

• The review is not a systematic review, which may limit the comprehensiveness of the literature considered.
• Focus is primarily on the U.S., potentially limiting applicability to other regions.

Conclusion:

The review aims to unify resources and strategies for clinicians to address socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular health care.