Anyone can develop high blood pressure and heart disease, but African Americans are at higher risk than any other race or ethnic group. High blood pressure tends to be more common, happens at an earlier age, and is more serious for many African Americans. And it is not just a man's disease. The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled - and better yet, it can be prevented. If you smoke, you are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than a nonsmoking woman, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day.
Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke.
There is simply no safe way to smoke. The only safe and healthful course is not to smoke at all. There is nothing easy about giving up cigarettes. Studies have shown that African American smokers have higher levels of cigarette chemicals in their bodies than white and Mexican American smokers, even when each group smokes the same number of cigarettes. This may explain why African Americans find it harder to quit smoking than other groups.