A Text Messaging-Enhanced Intervention for African American Patients With Heart Failure, Depression, and Anxiety (TXT COPE-HF): Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility Study.

Background: African Americans have a higher incidence rate of heart failure (HF) and an earlier age of HF onset compared to those of other racial and ethnic groups. Scientific literature suggests that by 2030, African Americans will have a 30% increased prevalence rate of HF coupled with depression. In addition to depression, anxiety is a predictor of worsening functional capacity, decreased quality of life, and increased hospital readmission rates.