Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for all U.S. adults,and strokeis the No. 5 killer and a leading cause of disability. As frightening as those statistics are, the risks of getting those diseases are even higher for Black people. Historical and systemic factors play a major role in these statistics. Among them are adverse social determinants of health, the conditions in which a person is born and lives. The determinants include lack of access to health care and healthy foods, and other societal issues.
The good news is, Black people in the U.S. can improve their odds of preventing and beating these diseases by understanding the risks and taking simple steps to address them.
It is important to have a checkup and work with a health care professional on your specific risk factors and the things that you need to do to take care of your health.High blood pressure, overweight and obesity and diabetes are common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Here’s how they affect Black people and some tips to lower your risk.
High blood pressure
The prevalence of high blood pressure in Black people in the U.S. is among the highest in the world. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. It can cause permanent damage to the heart before you even notice any symptoms, that's why it is often referred to as the "silent killer." Not only is high blood pressure more severe in Black people than white people, but it also develops earlier in life.
You can’t do anything about your family history, but you can control your blood pressure.
The No. 1 thing you can do is check your blood pressure regularly. A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. The first number is the systolic pressure when heart is contracting. The second is diastolic pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxing. High blood pressure is when you have consistent systolic readings of 130 mm Hg or higher or diastolic readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. If you have high blood pressure, work with your health care professional to find the right medication and lifestyle changes that can help.
If you know your blood pressure is high, keeping track of changes is important. Check it regularly and notify your health care professional of changes in case your treatment needs to be adjusted.
Obesity
Black people in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by obesity. They may live in areas without access to healthy foods, which will affect their diet. Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke and is linked to other health problems like diabetes and cancer.
If you’re carrying extra weight, focus on the quality of your diet throughout the day, not just during mealtime. Choosing wise snackscan be part of a healthy diet. Avoid high calorie snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages such as full-calorie sodas. Opt for water instead. The American Heart Association recommends limiting red meat in favor of lean meats such as fish or chicken, and watching portions on carbohydrate-heavy foods, such as pasta and rice. Look for whole-grain options instead.
Research shows that dietary patterns rich in fruits and vegetables, with the exception of white potatoes, are associated with a reduced risk of CVD. If you are overweight or obese, work with your health care professional to develop a plan to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and Black people in the U.S. are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic white people.
Type 2 diabetes is treatable and preventable,but many people don’t recognize the early warning signs. Or they may avoid seeking treatment.
For diabetes and other heart disease risks, regular exercise plays a key role – both in strengthening the cardiovascular system and burning extra calories.
The AHA recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of both.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors.
See our editorial policies and staff.
Last Reviewed: Jan 10, 2024
FAQs
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity. But Black adults are at greater risk than white adults and all other minorities in the United States. In 2018, Black Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white Americans.
Do African-Americans have much higher rates of hypertension heart disease and stroke? ›
In 2019, African Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. Although African American adults are 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, they are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control.
Why are African-Americans more prone to stroke? ›
Black people are more at risk because of a higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, all of which contribute to stroke.
What ethnic group has the highest rate of heart disease? ›
Black adults are more likely than white adults to die from a heart attack. Asian adults are less likely than other groups to have coronary artery disease. But there are some differences by ethnicity. Asian Indian men, Filipino men and Filipino women have a higher risk compared with white people.
What is the racial disparity of heart disease? ›
Black adults experience higher burden of CV risk factors such as hypertension and obesity, and are more than twice as likely to die of CVD, relative to White adults. Similarly, American Indian individuals are 1.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease, compared with the White population.
What race has the highest blood pressure? ›
The racial disparity in hypertension and hypertension-related outcomes has been recognized for decades with African Americans with greater risks than Caucasians. Blood pressure levels have consistently been higher for African Americans with an earlier onset of hypertension.
What race is most at risk for hypertension? ›
National surveys such as the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have highlighted these differences. Non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) have significantly higher rates of hypertension compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHW), while Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asians (NHA) have lower rates than both groups.
Why is heart disease so common in African Americans? ›
Research suggests African-Americans may carry a gene that makes them more salt-sensitive, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. African-Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity. Among non-Hispanic blacks 20 and older, 63 percent of men and 77 percent of women are overweight or obese.
Which race has the most strokes? ›
What is Stroke?
- African Americans are 50 percent more likely to have a stroke (cerebrovascular disease), as compared to their white adult counterparts.
- Black men are 70 percent more likely to die from a stroke as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Americans of Black, Hispanic and Asian descent have a higher risk of stroke than other groups. Men are more likely to have a stroke, although women are more likely to die from stroke.
Blacks had a significantly higher cardiovascular death rate compared with all other ethnic/racial groups (6.1% vs 3.9%, respectively; P=. 01). East Asians, South Asians, and Other Asians had significantly lower cardiovascular death rates of 1.8%, 1.9%, and 2.2%, respectively (all Asians combined, 2.1% vs 4.5%; P<.
Why does Japan have low heart disease? ›
Low obesity, low intake of saturated fatty acids, and high intakes of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, plant foods such as soybeans and nonsugar-sweetened beverages such as green tea may contribute to low cancer and ischemic heart disease mortality.
What race is most likely to develop heart disease? ›
Unfortunately, many of the risk factors that predispose patients to developing heart disease and heart failure are more common in Black patients. For example, Black patients are more likely to have high blood pressure, and it is often more advanced and diagnosed at an earlier age than other groups.
Who is more prone to heart disease? ›
Men older than age 45 and women past menopause have the highest risk of a heart event. A family history of heart disease is a risk factor that you can't directly control but that you should be aware of.
What kinds of foods should you eat to prevent heart disease? ›
These foods are the foundation of a heart-healthy eating plan. Protein-rich foods: Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout) Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey.
Can a blocked heart artery cause a stroke? ›
Blocked arteries are one of the most common causes of strokes and can lead to an ischemic stroke. Blocked arteries can occur for many reasons, but commonly, it is due to a condition called atherosclerosis.
Is hypertension high in African Americans? ›
Environmental factors.
Black people worldwide have rates of high blood pressure that are similar to that of white people. But in the U.S., the difference is dramatic: 41% of African Americans have high blood pressure, as compared to 27% of white Americans.
Do African Americans have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke compared to other ethnicities? ›
Although the national age-adjusted mortality rates for heart disease and stroke continued their long-term trends, declining 61% and 70%, respectively since 1975, rates for African Americans remained 20% higher for heart disease and 40% higher for stroke, compared to rates in Whites.
Which ethnic group tends to have the highest incidence of hypertension? ›
White adults had a significantly lower rate of hypertension than black, Asian, or Hispanic adults: the age-standardized prevalence was 27.5% for white, 43.5% for black, 38.0% for Asian, and 33.0% for Hispanic adults.
Which race has a higher incidence of strokes? ›
Studies show that Black and Latino communities have a greater risk of developing stroke. In fact, African Americans are almost twice as likely to have a stroke than other racial groups. Other health conditions that increase the risk of stroke but affect racial groups differently include: Hypertension.
