African Americans have a heart disease rate of over 36%. Millions of African Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease and the numbers are nearly one in five.
African Americans have a higher rate of heart disease due to three of the risk factors: high blood pressure, being overweight and higher rates of diabetes.
As well, the statistics for African-American women are alarming.
Lack of physical activity is a major concern. Physical inactivity is more prevalent for women, African Americas and Hispanics. For African American females age 18 and older, over 50% are inactive, compared to fewer than 40% of Caucasian females.
A prominent professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School warns the “there is a critical need for greater awareness about the risk of heart disease among African-American women” and adds that “all women need to be conscious of their own personal health risk, and the statistics for heart disease”.
The American Heart Association wants to address this. The ADA offers information to help African Americans understand why their risks are higher and shares information on what you can do to stay heart healthy.
As well, consult your physician for information on keeping your heart healthy.