February is American Heart Month, focusing on heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., especially among women, particularly Black women.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease claims one in three women’s lives in the U.S., surpassing all cancer deaths combined.
Black women face higher rates of cardiovascular disease, coronary disease, and stroke deaths compared to White women, with nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure.
Dr. Leandris Liburd is acting director of the CDC’s Office of Health Equity, and she joined “All Things Considered” to address some of the causes leading to these disparities.
She said factors like structural racism and economic policies contribute to these disparities by increasing financial stress and limiting access to quality healthcare.
That was the case for both Tara Robinson and Tina Marie Marsden, both Black women who experienced heart failure but, for various reasons, had their symptoms dismissed by medical professionals.
At age 28, Marsden was diagnosed with congestive heart failure shortly after giving birth to her second son, despite no family history of heart disease. Her symptoms were severe, leading to the implantation of a heart pump known as a Abbott HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device to keep her alive.
Now, thirty years later, Tina thrives as an advocate and peer support specialist, sharing her journey with other young moms. She founded Sistas Meetup, a support group, and was instrumental in passing maternal health legislation in Georgia, extending Medicaid coverage post-childbirth.
Robinson is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Black Heart Association and started the organization after experiencing three heart attacks in three days when she was in her 30s.
The Black Heart Association aims to eliminate heart health disparities in black and brown communities through advocacy, education, and empowerment.
Dr. Liburd said most cardiovascular diseases are preventable with proper medical care and lifestyle changes.
The CDC Foundation’s Live to the Beat campaign recently launched the “Heart2Heart Challenge” to empower Black women to prioritize self-care for heart health, with steps like daily walks, stress reduction, and monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, along with building a support system.
Christopher Alston contributed to this report.
