Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity. But Black adults are at greater risk than white adults and all other minorities in the United States.
In 2018, Black Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white Americans. And heart disease develops at a younger age in Black women and men than in white adults.
Knowledge is power, and you can improve your chances of preventing heart disease and stroke by understanding your risks and taking steps to address them.
The most common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in Black women and men are hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and diabetes. Let’s take a deeper dive into how these conditions can affect your heart health and explore some ways to reduce your risk for heart disease.
High Blood Pressure
Black adults are 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than white adults and, for those who do, it’s less likely under control. High blood pressure not only increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, it can cause irreversible damage to your heart even before symptoms are noticeable.
If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, do so as soon as possible. If you know your blood pressure is high, be sure to have it checked regularly and report any changes to your doctor.
High blood pressure can be controlled by medication and small lifestyle adjustments, such as limiting your salt intake, eating a balanced diet, cutting out processed foods, managing your stress, and getting regular exercise.
Obesity
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity. In 2018, Black adults were 1.3 times more likely to be obese than white adults. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of fat in their blood, diabetes, and high levels of LDL cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Improve your heart health by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats into your diet. It’s also important to eat less red meat and fewer carbohydrate-rich foods, such as pasta and rice.
Don’t gloss over snacks and beverages. The amount of calories and processed sugars you intake can add up quickly from the snacks and juices, sodas, and energy drinks you consume regularly.
It’s also important to maintain a modest exercise routine, which can be as simple as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk five times per week. Consider other forms of exercise in a sport or activity you really enjoy. What matters is that you’re active, and—when you enjoy what you’re doing—you’re more likely to stick with it.
Diabetes
Black adults are 60 percent more likely than white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes, a chronic disease that contributes to the narrowing and hardening of your arteries. Diabetes can lead to stroke and coronary artery disease, among other types of heart disease.
While type 2 diabetes is treatable and preventable, sometimes people miss its early warning signs, which include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Constant hunger
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue
- Slow-healing cuts
- New patches of dark skin on the creases of the neck, armpits, or groin
- Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
In some cases, people avoid treatment in fear of potential complications
Regular exercise is essential for controlling diabetes and minimizing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In addition to following these steps, see your doctor regularly. They can monitor your heart health and help you fine-tune new habits as you begin to make strides in the right direction. Leading a healthier, more mindful life can slow or even reverse the progression of heart disease
Outside Influences
Many Black Americans and other underserved groups experience disparities in access to high-quality cardiovascular healthcare. According to a 2019 cardiovascular disease study, it has “become increasingly clear that neighborhood, place of residence, and geography matter; and that community and neighborhood factors have a role in the disparities seen in cardiovascular outcomes.”
In other words, some factors that affect heart health are beyond an individual’s control. Efforts to reduce disparities and promote heart health, such as strategic partnerships between health systems and community leaders in minority neighborhoods, have shown encouraging results. Most notably, the life expectancy gap between Black people and white people is declining. In adults 65 and older, it’s been almost entirely eliminated.
Last year, Penn implemented a multilingual chatbot to help guide patients through its telemedicine platform. For those with limited internet access, Penn has applied for grants to help patients obtain broadband coverage and is also exploring the installation of telemedicine kiosks in underserved communities across the city. It’s considered these kiosks be located in public spaces, like grocery stores or recreation centers, with a privacy curtain or door. Still, there’s plenty of works to be done.