No Cardiologists In 46% Of U.S. Counties

Nearly half of all 3,143 counties in the U.S. (46.3%) lack a practicing cardiologist. The remaining 1,689 counties have an average of 24 cardiologists each. However, approximately 10% of all counties have just one cardiologist for the entire county.

Round trip travel distances for cardiologist visits are five times longer for residents of counties without a practicing cardiologist, at 87.1 miles compared to 16.3 miles for residents of counties with a cardiologist.

The majority (86.2%) of counties without a practicing cardiologist are rural. Their residents tend to have lower income levels, less access . . .