THE HEART TRUTH ® FOR WOMEN

The TRUTH 

About African American 

Women and Heart Disease

The TRUTH is African American women are at risk for heart disease!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for African American women in the United States. If you are in your 

40s, or 30s, or even 20s, you may be at risk. 

But here's some good news — You have the power to protect your heart and lower your risk. Yes, YOU!

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a general phrase for a variety of 

conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. 

The most common form, coronary heart disease, occurs 

when plaque (a combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium, 

and other substances found in the blood) builds up in 

your arteries. 

Plaque reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood getting 

to your heart and can cause a heart attack when blood 

flow becomes blocked. If blood flow is not restored quickly, 

the heart muscle will begin to die. 

Coronary heart disease is slightly more prevalent among 

African American women than among white women aged 20 

and older. Like most heart diseases, coronary heart disease is 

a lifelong condition—once you get it, you’ll always have it. 

What’s more, the condition of your blood vessels will steadily 

worsen unless you make healthy changes in your daily habits. 

For African American women, the risk 

of heart disease is especially great. 

Why? African American women typically 

have higher rates of health conditions — such 

as high blood pressure, overweight and 

obesity, and diabetes — that increase the risk 

of heart disease.

 

More than half of African American 

women aged 20 and older have 

hypertension, also known as high 

blood pressure.

More than half of African American 

women aged 20 and older have obesity.

 African American women are more 

likely than white women to be diagnosed 

with diabetes.

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Are You Aware of the Risks?

Only about one-third of African American women know cardiovascular disease is their most significant health risk. 

It’s important to know your risk factors. Risk factors are conditions or habits that increase the chances of developing a 

disease or having it worsen. Every risk factor counts. Having more than one risk factor is especially serious because 

risk factors tend to impact and worsen each other’s effects. 

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, 

diabetes, or obesity

• Being a smoker or regularly exposed to 

secondhand smoke

• Eating a diet high in sodium, saturated fats, and sugars

• Not being physically active

• Not getting enough sleep

• Not managing stress

Disparities in Heart Disease

African American women often face disparities in healthcare access and quality, which can affect heart disease outcomes. 

Living in neighborhoods with little access to healthy foods, poor quality housing, and few gyms, community centers or 

walking paths increase the chances of heart disease. 

It’s never too early to start protecting your heart. The choices you make now 

will affect your heart health for the rest of your life.

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What Can You Do to Start Taking Care of Your Heart?

Yes, YOU can keep your heart healthy.

Start by learning more about your own heart 

health, your family history of heart disease, 

and your risk factors. 

• Even if heart disease runs in your family, that 

doesn’t mean you have to get it. There’s a lot 

you can do to reduce your risk.

Keep a record of your daily food intake and 

physical activity to help you identify barriers 

to healthy habits. This can inspire you to reach 

your goals. 

• Try modifying favorite dishes by using olive oil 

and herbs instead of butter and salt. Consider 

healthier alternatives in culturally popular soul 

food recipes, like vegan options, which use less 

saturated fat and more plants and nuts. 

Make a realistic plan that fits your specific needs 

and helps you stick to a heart-healthy lifestyle. 

• If you think you’re too busy for exercise, try fitting 

small amounts of physical activity—even 10 

minutes at a time —into your day. 

• Anything that gets your heart pumping counts! 

Being physically active can reduce your risk for 

heart disease. 

Managing stress will help you be more motivated 

to accomplish your heart health goals. 

• African American women often face higher levels 

of long-term stress. 

• Experiencing chronic discrimination can increase 

the risk of high blood pressure in African 

Americans. 

• Find healthy ways to reduce stress, such as 

practicing yoga, joining a dance class, or simply 

taking deep breaths.

Prepare to have a healthy pregnancy. 

• African American women have a higher 

risk of developing gestational diabetes and 

preeclampsia — a type of high blood pressure that 

occurs during pregnancy. 

• It is important to keep track of your blood 

pressure before, during, and after pregnancy. 

• Having preeclampsia increases the risk of having 

heart disease or a stroke later in life. 

• Talk to your healthcare provider about how 

to have a heart-healthy pregnancy. 

Involve friends and family to make activities 

more enjoyable, whether you’re joining a fitness 

class or just taking a walk in the park. 

• If being accountable to someone who cares 

about you is a motivating factor, exercise 

or eat healthy together!

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Yes, YOU can work with your healthcare 

provider to find out your risk of heart disease.

• Visit your healthcare provider for regular checkups. 

Ask your provider to review your blood pressure, 

cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI) 

numbers with you to be sure you fully understand them. 

• Ask important questions about whether these numbers 

are in a healthy range or if they put you at risk for heart 

disease — and if so, what you can do to reduce your risk. 

Let your provider know you want help in achieving your 

goal of having a healthy heart. The more proactive you 

are about your heart health, the greater chance you have 

of preventing heart disease. 

 Here is a list of questions you can ask: 

• What is my healthy weight range? 

• What was my blood pressure reading today and what 

do the numbers mean for me? 

• How often should I have my blood pressure checked? 

• What do my blood pressure numbers mean for me if 

I’m pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? 

• Can any medicines I take (prescribed or over-the 

counter) affect my blood pressure?

• How much physical activity do I need to keep my 

heart healthy? 

• What foods or diets can help keep my heart healthy?

• How can managing stress affect my heart health?

• What risk factors do I have for heart disease?

• Is there anything I can do to change or lower these risks? 

• How can cholesterol affect my heart health? What are my 

cholesterol levels and are they in a healthy range? 

• If I smoke or drink, how does it affect my heart health?

• If I have a family history for heart disease, what does that 

mean for me?

Use the My Heart Health Tracker to record important numbers related to your heart health. 

Yes, YOU can start today!

The Heart Truth® is here to help you reach your heart health goals.

For more information about The Heart Truth, heart disease in women, and tools to help you create a heart-healthy 

lifestyle check out hearttruth.gov. Find additional resources from our Healthy Hearts Network organizations.

NIH Publication No. 23-HL-8206 

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