CINCINNATI (FEBRUARY 6, 2023) – February marks Black History Month as well as Heart Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Minority Health, Black Americans were 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white Americans.
While the answer to why this is the case remains multifaceted, it ultimately comes down to a lack of access to care which translates to poorer outcomes for Black Americans. Black American adults were 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, but they are less likely than non-Hispanic white Americans to have their blood pressure under control.
Those numbers are alarming but Nicole Mullins, CNP, with The Christ Hospital Health Network, says there are ways to reverse this trend.
“Exercise and preventative health care is the key,” said Mullins. “Seeing your primary care doctor regularly is important. Having access to a good primary care provider means someone is watching for red flags and keeping up with regular screenings. Regular doctor's visits allow for time for your primary care provider to council you more closely and the do's and don'ts of maintaining your health.”
Mullins says knowing your blood pressure is one important key. Another is knowing your cholesterol and A1c. These are important screening tools, that when elevated, can signal a problem. It’s important to keep track of any changes as you get older. Seeing your primary care provider at least annually should be a priority. If you are diabetic, controlling your blood sugar more closely can also reduce your heart disease risk. Quitting smoking is another way to prevent or control heart disease risk.
“The Christ Hospital Health Network offers a variety of support services including tobacco cessation support groups, a heart failure support group as well as specialized heart failure nurse who can help patients better manage their condition at home,” said Mullins. “We offer a large variety of very specialized heart clinics geared towards very specific heart problems. We have a nationally accredited cardiopulmonary rehab program for patients who have had heart attacks or major heart surgeries. This program is designed to promote exercise and education to these patients to help regain strength and reduce the risk of future heart complications.”