The Connection Between Black History & American Hearth Month

It’s fitting that February is both Black History and American Heart Month, an initiative created to bring awareness to the nationwide problem of heart and blood vessel diseases. Heart disease disproportionately impacts Black communities.

Just take a look at some of these statistics from BlackDoctor.org:

• African American adults are more likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease, and they are more likely to die from heart disease.
• Although African American adults are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure, they are 10% less likely than their non-Hispanic White counterparts to have their blood pressure under control.
• More African American men die from heart attacks associated with stress than any other ethnic group in the United States.
• Stroke is identified as being 67% higher in African American men than other ethnic groups and are 88% more likely to die from a stroke than Caucasians.
• The American Heart Association says that African Americans are more than three times as likely to die from heart disease caused by high blood pressure as Caucasians

The Y is uniquely positioned to make a difference through programs and content that honor Black History Month as well as provide Healthy Living education and support.

For more information on how you and your family can live a healthy, active lifestyle, look into our Cardiac Wellness Program or get started on a Personalized Wellness Plan.