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News
A new HFSA report reveals a stark mismatch between where heart failure (HF) is most prevalent and where specialized clinics actually exist. States like Alabama, Mississippi, and West Virginia carry the heaviest HF burden but have just one to three registered clinics each. Experts say telehealth, advanced practice provider-led programs, and digital health tools could help bridge the gap.
The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) has released its inaugural "State of Heart Failure Clinics in the United States" report — and the findings paint a troubling picture. The areas with the highest rates of heart failure and related deaths, particularly in the South and Appalachia, are also the ones with the fewest dedicated HF clinics. Meanwhile, clinics are heavily concentrated in coastal and Midwestern metro areas.
The report draws on data from 306 HFSA-registered HF clinics serving roughly 626,000 patients across 47 states. Importantly, HFSA has identified around 2,800 additional HF clinics nationwide that haven't enrolled yet — meaning the full picture of care gaps (and coverage) is still coming into focus. Experts note that geographic gaps aren't just a rural problem; uninsured patients, transportation barriers, and language access issues can make specialty care functionally out of reach even in cities with multiple clinics.
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Why it matters: Identifying where HF expertise exists is the first step toward connecting more patients with specialized care. Telehealth-anchored networks, APP-led community programs, and digital health platforms are emerging as practical solutions to extend specialist reach into underserved areas.
