February is American Heart Month and the American Heart Association is working to reverse the statistics for minority communities. Each year approximately 600,000 Americans die from cardiovascular disease. For African Americans, who are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than their counterparts, the race is on to cure the racial disparities in heart health.
High cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and tobacco usage are highest among Black communities. Already predisposed to these illnesses, African American men contribute 48 percent and Black women, 44 percent, of heart disease diagnoses. The American Heart Association, a champion of heart health for nearly 100 years, has been newly challenged by the growing stress around the pandemic, and is helping Black women to reclaim their rhythm.
“One of my favorite things we’re talking about right now is our Red for Women movement and our theme is Reclaiming Your Rhythm. Reclaiming your Rhythm is all about getting back to the things that bring joy. Those things that inspire you to really live that best life” said Kristian Hurley, executive director for the American Heart Association of Southeast Michigan.
Though heart disease knows no race or gender, AHA’s initiative Go Red for Women helps to raise awareness around Black women and heart health. Each year, the first Friday in February is dedicated to women; wearing red to commemorate heart health, but the celebration and knowledge last all month long.
“Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of all Americans of any background, but we do know particularly, during Heart Month, we like to focus a lot on women because while heart disease impacts us all and is a number one killer, women, in particular, don’t often think of heart disease as a number one threat,” said Hurley. “Particularly for women of color, they often will bear a greater burden of cardiovascular disease.”
Black women also run the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure as they top the statistics for this health crisis.
“Black women have higher rates for hospitalization for heart failure as well as Hispanic women have higher rates of hospitalization around heart failure. Stroke is a leading cause of death amongst Black women as well. Particularly with African American women, we have higher rates of high blood pressure which significantly increases the risk factor for stroke as well as heart attacks,” said Hurley.
In the journey to heart health, African American women are being encouraged to get active. Exercise is a driving force behind heart health and reducing the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes due to poor diet. Moving the body can also work to reduce stress and revive mental health.
“Black women are also less likely to make guidelines for things like aerobic exercise. We don’t tend to be as physically active as we should be. Maybe taking care of our communities, our families, our kids and focusing on others and that’s been in their time to really focus on ourselves and get that needed exercise,” said Hurley.
In an effort to curb numbers for weight, blood pressure and other medical statuses, Black women are asked to visit their primary care doctor to stay in the know of their numbers in order to decrease the likelihood of illness and to care for their bodies.
“We have got to know our numbers and we have got to take action around them. If our blood pressure is high, we need to get treatment. We need to, of course, do those lifestyle things; eating more healthy, getting more physical activity, reducing our sodium intake, taking our blood pressure frequently so we can see and monitor those impacts on our lifestyle,” said Hurley. “But also getting treatments so that you can get your blood pressure under control [with the help of] your medical professional,”
The American Heart Association is a leader in not only heart health, but scientific research as well. With the help of scientists, the organization has been on the frontlines of the fight against heart disease and stroke.
“Of course, people think of us traditionally as a funder of research as it relates to cardiovascular disease. We fund millions and millions of dollars in research nationally but also locally,” said Hurley. “From that work we see significant advances on how we are treating cardiovascular disease.”
The organization will host events all month long to encourage and support heart health for Black women and all women.
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