Understanding heart disease and racial factors: Key insights
In the United States, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death, claiming approximately 655,000 lives each year. However, the burden of heart disease death is not evenly distributed across racial and ethnic groups.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2017, heart disease death rates showed the highest age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) among Black or African American individuals, followed by American Indian or Alaska Native, White, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian or Pacific Islander populations.
Black men had the highest AAMR for total heart disease, around 260 per 100,000 population in 2018. This reflects persistently high mortality from ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease.
From 1999 to 2019, the highest overall AAMR for heart disease was among Black or African American individuals (11.19 per 100,000) compared to other racial groups. Asian or Pacific Islander populations had the lowest rate, at 1.33 per 100,000.
The disparities in heart disease death rates can be linked to social determinants of health, access to care, and the prevalence of risk factors like hypertension and obesity. BIPOC groups, particularly Black and American Indian communities, have a higher prevalence of these conditions, which raise their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.
At an individual level, people can take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease by eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, avoiding foods high in saturated fat or added sugar, monitoring blood pressure, seeking treatment for any chronic conditions or unexplained symptoms, and telling a doctor if they have a family history of heart disease.
However, systemic and unfair health disparities also play a significant role. Residential segregation in the U.S. means that predominantly Black neighborhoods have fewer financial resources and are more likely to have shortages of doctors. Directly experiencing discrimination also has this effect.
The Commonwealth Fund calls for improvements in how doctors help individuals from BIPOC groups with chronic conditions, more transparency on racial disparities in treatment, and more education on factors that affect health. Economic inequity also contributes to healthcare being unaffordable for many, making it difficult to access or pay for medical treatment.
BIPOC groups receive lower-quality healthcare than white people, and racial stress contributes to the development of disease, including risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure. A 2019 study found that Black Americans had a biological age that was 2.6 years older than their actual age due to weathering.
Addressing these disparities is everyone's responsibility. Organisations like the Commonwealth Fund are advocating for change, but it will take collective effort to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need to live healthy lives.
References:
- Benjamin EJ, Muntner P, Alonso A, Borden WB, Virani SS, Virani SS, Callaway CW, Chamberlain AM, Dunagan W, Ford ES, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2019 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;139(10):e56–e528.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heart Disease Death Rates by Race in the United States. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm on 2022-03-01.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heart Disease Death Rates by Race in 2021. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/hearts/statistics/2021update.htm on 2022-03-01.
- Commonwealth Fund. Black Americans Face Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. Accessed at https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/jan/racial-ethnic-disparities-health-care on 2022-03-01.
- Murray CJL, Rosenberg ES, Salomon JA, Andrews KG, Soerjomataram I, Aboyans V, et al. Global, regional, and national age-standardized mortality for 350 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1980–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1951–2054.
- American heart disease statistics show that it claims about 655,000 lives annually, making it the leading cause of death in the United States.
- Cultural disparities exist in heart disease mortality rates, with Black or African American individuals having the highest age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR).
- In 2018, Black men had the highest AAMR for total heart disease, around 260 per 100,000 population.
- From 1999 to 2019, Black or African American individuals had the overall highest AAMR for heart disease compared to other racial groups.
- Asian or Pacific Islander populations had the lowest heart disease death rate, at 1.33 per 100,000.
- Multi-racial groups, particularly Black and American Indian communities, have a higher prevalence of heart disease risk factors like hypertension and obesity.
- Personally, one can reduce the risk of heart disease by adopting a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing alcohol consumption, and monitoring blood pressure.
- Systemic health disparities also contribute to heart disease, including residential segregation, lack of access to quality care, and untreated chronic conditions.
- Organisations like the Commonwealth Fund advocate for improvements in care, transparency on racial disparities, and education on factors affecting health.
- Economic inequity makes healthcare unaffordable, making it difficult for many to access or pay for medical treatment.
- BIPOC groups receive lower-quality healthcare than white people, and racial stress contributes to disease development, including heart disease risk factors.
- A 2019 study found that Black Americans had a biological age that was 2.6 years older than their actual age due to factors like weathering.
- Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease is everyone's responsibility and requires collective effort.
- The burden of heart disease runs deep in multi-cultural populations, affecting the African, Hispanic, and Asian communities disproportionately.
- Science has a crucial role in understanding the root causes of heart disease and developing strategies to address the disparities.
- Medical conditions like hypertension, obesity, and chronic diseases contribute significantly to heart disease disparities among racial and ethnic groups.
- Respiratory conditions also play a role in heart disease, as they put additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
- Health and wellness, fitness and exercise, mental health, and nutrition are all crucial components of reducing heart disease risk.
- Economics, in terms of personal finance, wealth management, and business strategies, intersect with health and healthcare in addressing heart disease disparities.
- Diversity and inclusion initiatives in the healthcare sector are key to ensuring equitable access to care for all racial and ethnic groups.
- Books on education, self-development, and personal growth can help individuals learn more about the impact of heart disease and ways to prevent it.
- Big wins in heart disease prevention can come from small changes in lifestyle and behavior, but it requires personal commitment and responsibility.
- Social media can serve as a platform for self-education, sharing tips, and supporting one another in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- Movies and TV shows can provide entertainment but also offer an opportunity to educate the public on heart disease and its impact on different communities.
- Career development in the medical-field can be an avenue for addressing the systemic issues contributing to heart disease disparities.
- Casino and gambling trends should consider the impact of stress on cardiovascular health, as excessive gambling can contribute to hypertension and other risk factors.
- Other areas like politics, pop-culture, general news, crime and justice, learning, and responsible gambling should also be aware of their role in sensitizing the public to heart disease and its associated disparities.
