How to Prevent Heart Disease in African American Families

January 2, 2025

January 2, 2025

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a big threat to the health of African Americans, with statistics indicating that around 47% of Black adults have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, compared with 36% of White adults. It is one of the leading causes of premature death among middle-aged African American males in particular, who as youth have a greater prevalence of risk factors for CVD, including hypertension and obesity.

A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reports, for instance, that African American adolescent males comprise the largest segment of extremely obese 12- to 19-year-old males. Therefore, it is vital for families to adopt lifestyle measures that can lower their risk of developing CVD.

An extended african american family for an article about how to prevent heart disease in african american families
Source: DepositPhotos.com

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a big threat to the health of African Americans, with statistics indicating that around 47% of Black adults have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, compared with 36% of White adults.”

The Link Between Stress and CVD

The high level of CVD among African American males in particular is said to be linked to the so-called “three-hit hypothesis.” The latter states that conditions like stroke hypertension, and chronic kidney disease result from three factors: genetic predisposition, early life factors, and later life factors. Cumulative stress is tied to this hypothesis because it impacts psychological and physiological health. Researchers state that there is a need for greater research into metabolic risk factors among African American children and adolescents. It is vital to obtain a greater understanding of the early onset and progression of CVD-related conditions among young African American males so that preventive measures can be prescribed.

A Need for Earlier Diagnosis

Modern cardiology has cutting-edge means to diagnose and treat heart disease, and many of these approaches are minimally invasive. For instance, cardiac heart catheterization is a highly effective way to investigate how blood flows through the heart and to measure pressure in the heart and lungs. Many other procedures can also be life-saving, as they can detect issues such as heart valve disease and congenital heart disease before major events such as heart attacks occur.

Yet studies show that Black adults, women, and patients with lower incomes are less likely to be diagnosed with heart failure in primary care. Physicians need to look out for symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, and swollen hands and feet, and to prescribe necessary tests before a medical emergency arises. Implicit bias training should be provided to all healthcare providers so that gaps in care can be reduced.

“A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reports, for instance, that African American adolescent males comprise the largest segment of extremely obese 12- to 19-year-old males.”

Embracing Healthy Lifestyle Factors

Families can also take several steps forward when it comes to reducing their risk of CVD. They can do this by prioritizing optimal nutrition through the Mediterranean diet, which comprises lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and Omega-3 fats. They can also aim to perform at least half an hour of exercise a day (or 150 minutes a week). Finally, they can benefit from performing stress-busting activities such as controlled breathing, yoga, and mindfulness meditation. Spending just a few minutes in nature can significantly reduce their cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Adults and children should also aim to obtain the required hours of sleep for their age levels since poor sleep is linked to obesity.

African Americans are at a higher risk of developing CVD. They are also less likely to be diagnosed with heart problems. To solve this problem, a multifaceted approach comprising better physician training and further research studies into metabolic factors affecting male Black children and youths needs to be adopted. Finally, families can be encouraged to embrace a healthy lifestyle and tackle stress proactively.


comments +

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
trackback

[…] beyond individual supplements to address the systemic factors that contribute to higher rates of heart disease and stroke. Genetics, social determinants of health, and lifestyle factors collectively impact the […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Translate »
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x