Searching For The Oasis In A "Cardiology Desert": Insights And Solutions To Disparities In Cardiac Care

By Charles Bridges, MD, MS, ScD, a member of the BioVentures MedTech Board of Advisors, and Chief Scientific Officer of CorVista Health

Regions with limited or no specialized heart care pose a severe threat to millions of patients, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas. These "Cardiology Deserts" healthcare voids result in delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and increased mortality rates, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Dr. Charles Bridges, a distinguished cardiac surgeon and researcher, highlights the root causes of these deserts, including geographic isolation, economic disparities, and an uneven distribution of cardiologists. His work underscores the stark contrast in life expectancy between neighboring communities and the systemic inequities that contribute to poor cardiovascular outcomes.

Innovative solutions, such as telemedicine, mobile clinics, and targeted training for primary care providers, offer hope for mitigating these disparities. In particular, the CorVista System, a non-invasive diagnostic platform developed by Dr. Bridges, provides immediate and accurate assessments of coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension, addressing critical gaps in access to care. However, eliminating Cardiology Deserts requires more than technology—it demands policy reforms, community-based initiatives, and addressing implicit biases in healthcare delivery. By integrating advanced diagnostics with equitable healthcare policies, the medical community can work toward ensuring that all patients, regardless of geography, receive timely and effective cardiovascular care.