It would be wise to study why and how cardiovascular diseases are more manifest in African Americans.
African Americans have a greater risk of diabetes, vascular dementia and high blood pressure which could lead to a stroke. A stroke can lead to a greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s. The above mentioned vascular conditions are attributed to at least 40% of the African American population.
Here are the numbers according to the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistic. According to a 2006 study, 45.9% of Black males were more prevalent to cardiovascular heart disease as compared to 37.8% of white males. 45.9% of Black females to 33.3% of white females.
You can see the 2006 statistics at the American Heart Association website or Download PDF Datasheet.
Knowing the statistics still does not explain the disparity. Black African Americans are much more likely to be overweight or obese than other gender groups. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) . 71.6% Non-hispanic black Americans males have a BMI greater than 25 compared to 71.8% non-Hispanic white Americans. Non-Hispanic black American Women have a 79.8% BMI greater than 25 compared to 57.9% Non-Hispanic white American woman. The trend is also evident among African American girls with a +9% difference compared to Non-Hispanic white American girls. Download PDF Datasheet
High blood pressure is common among African Americans which increases the chances of heart disease. Type 2 diabetes is a common thread among this group. Unfortunately there is also a higher death rate for Black African Americans who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. This is currently being studied and hopefully some answers as to why will also coincide with prevention.
So the major risk factors for cardiovascular heart disease are as follows:
- Cigarette smoking
- High consumption of alcohol
- Diabetes type 2
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Inactive lifestyle
- Obesity
- Lack of money to eat healthy
- Lack of knowledge in eating healthy
- stress
I included the last three factors as it plays a big factor in regards to the first 7 risk factors. If you know you are prone to cardiovascular diseases by these high risk criteria’s then there are some ways to prevent or decrease your chances of vascular diseases , Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
