Heart Health In Our Community
African Americans need to be especially careful when it comes to high blood pressure. That's because the disease occurs more often among African Americans than whites. In fact, in the U.S., nearly one in three African Americans have high blood pressure, compared with one in four whites. High blood pressure also begins at an earlier age for African Americans and is usually more severe.
But the good news is that lifestyle changes and treatment can help control high blood pressure. So if you have this condition, it's really important to see your doctor.
The Role of Stress and Dietary Preferences in High Blood Pressure
These two factors can play a big role in causing high blood pressure. For example, did you know that African Americans have a higher rate of obesity than White Americans?
Stress is important to manage because it directly influences blood pressure. During a stress reaction, your body produces a surge of stress hormones. These hormones temporarily raise your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to narrow. When the stressful situation has stopped, your blood pressure returns to normal. But if your blood pressure continues to rise, your blood vessels, heart and kidneys can be damaged. Also, if you're under stress, you may overeat, smoke or eat unhealthy foods. All these factors increase your risk for high blood pressure.
As a community, it's important for African Americans to learn more about high blood pressure and how to control it, for the benefit of you and your loved ones.
Please click here for a treatment option on high blood pressure.
Getting Support
Did you know that more African Americans have high blood pressure than any other racial or ethnic group? So if you have it, you're not alone.
It may discourage you to learn that you have high blood pressure. It's a good idea to seek the warmth of loved ones who can offer you encouragement and motivation. Support from your family and friends can help a lot. They'll most likely be happy to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. Ask for extra help if you need it, like picking up a prescription at the drugstore or reminding you to take your medicine. And, if the whole family is on a low-salt, low-fat diet, that can help you stay on one too.
There may be special support groups in your neighborhood that you can join. Contact your local hospital and community centers for more information. Also ask your doctor about programs in your area that you can participate in.
Managing Stress
Be especially careful when it comes to stress. You might feel stress if you're going through major life changes, lose your job or have problems at home. In fact, some everyday occurrences, like traffic jams, can cause stress.
No one can eliminate all the stress in their lives, because even happy events, like a new job or a wedding, can cause stress. However, if you learn how to identify stress and manage it, you will establish good coping skills and proactively deal with it.
Resources
There are many places to get additional information about high blood pressure and how to manage it. Start by asking your doctor. Also contact local hospitals and community centers in your area.
There are also online resources you can use. Here are some:
- Association of Black Cardiologists (http://www.abcardio.org)
- International Society on Hypertension in Blacks (http://www.ishib.org)
- All About Black Health (http://www.Allaboutblackhealth.com)
- BlackDoctor.org (http://www.Blackdoctor.org)
- BlackHealthCare.com (http://www.Blackhealthcare.com)
- BlackNews.com (http://www.Blacknews.com)
- BlackRefer.com (http://www.BlackRefer.com)
You can also visit your local library for books on African American health. Here are just a few:
- The Black Woman's Guide to a Healthy Heart by Anne Taylor, MD
- The Heart of the Matter: The African American's Guide to Heart Disease, Heart Treatment and Heart Wellness by Hilton M. Hudson II, MD, and Herbert Stern, PhD
- High Blood Pressure: The Black Man and Woman's Guide to Living with Hypertension by Hilton M. Hudson II, MD, FACS, and James W. Reed, MD, FACP, FACE
- Taking Care of Our Own: A Black American's Guide to Family Medicine by George Edmond Smith, MD, MEd
- The Black Man's Guide to Good Health by James W. Reed, MD, FACP, Neil B. Shulman, MD, and Charlene Shucker
Please click here for a treatment option on high blood pressure.
