Heart Health Disparities and Black Americans: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Lifestyle Changes

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States alone, with one person dying from heart disease every 33 seconds. February, in addition to American Heart Month, is Black History Month. Black Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white Americans. What risk factors contribute to heart disease impacting Black Americans at higher and more fatal rates? Are there lifestyle changes we can implement to shift health outcomes? We spoke to Anekwe Onwuanyi, MD, board-certified cardiologist and professor of medicine who serves as chief of cardiology at Morehouse School of Medicine, medical director of the heart failure program at Grady Memorial Hospital, and president of the Association of Black Cardiologists, about barriers in healthcare, the impact of stress and socioeconomic factors on cardiovascular issues, preventative measures, and necessary policy initiatives to create sustainable change in the Black community.

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