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For certain ethnic groups, the risk of heart disease is often higher. The NIH’s Heart Truth Campaign is trying to spread the word to all women about...
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Hello welcome to -- -- I'm Dr.
Manny heart disease is the leading cause of death in women of all races and ethnicities across the United States.
But for certain groups -- risk factors and rates of disease are higher than others and awareness and health -- -- seems to be lacking.
Joining me today is doctor -- -- -- and cardiologist and chief of staff for the national heart lung and blood institute part of the National Institutes of Health.
Welcome -- Very important topic -- I'm wearing my pin.
We know that heart disease is prevalent and and quite problematic but as I said for certain ethnic groups.
Very high African Americans and Latino women in particular also the list of about.
What are some of the factors especially those population.
I think there's some key factors especially amongst African Americans -- that high blood pressure is so strong contributor.
-- heart disease in the development of heart disease and we know amongst African American women almost half of them have high blood pressure.
So this is an effort that we really can work on in terms of trying to reduce risk for heart disease.
And amongst African American and Latino women we know there's a higher prevalence of being overweight or obese as well as -- That diabetes also has a higher rate these populations that they do contribute you mentioned the prevalence of of high blood pressure -- you -- called the silent killer.
-- And it is very common in African American women is it genetics is a lifestyle.
What is it.
What we see more.
I think it can really be -- a result of multiple things so we know that African Americans have a higher propensity towards development pipeline pressure.
But they also the once they have the disease have worse what we call -- comes from the disease meaning it seems to be.
-- something that is more important in terms of predicting their long term risk for heart disease and cardiovascular disease.
So I think there's a combination of genetic issues but there's also some lifestyle issues things that we really can address in order to try to stem the tide against high blood pressure.
Some of that may be being overweight or obese having higher sodium in the diet.
Or you know not getting the exercise and activity that we need on a daily basis in order to really reduce our -- Do you see a difference between.
Those populations.
If depending on where they live in the -- You know southern African American women less prone to develop a blood pressure as let's say.
Northern states shall we definitely see a difference in terms of where you live in the development of heart disease -- well -- -- some of the risk factors for heart disease and we've been talking a lot about.
High blood pressure one -- a major risk factors for heart disease.
And we'll definitely see that in the southeast.
We see higher rates have high blood pressure higher rates of cardiovascular disease amongst African Americans there.
And so there's an.
Areas of the country that we feel really need an intense focus in terms of trying to stem the tide against disease.
In addition we know that we can't always reach populations in certain places rural populations where there.
Maybe more difficulty getting access to physicians and doctors to understand.
What's going on and how to really address personal risk for -- to -- so I think.
Where you -- does matter.
And we need to get better about how we actually reach people there.
And as part of our heart awareness campaign the heart truth campaign were really trying to reach those areas and reach those and -- OK let's let's.
Touch and that that the heart truth campaign tell me about that what -- -- know about.
-- the heart truth campaign is really an awareness campaign we're trying to raise the awareness amongst women that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.
And we know that -- -- that awareness we can actually motivate people.
To take action to reduce their risk and we seen those types of trends in our country so -- really pushing the effort to say.
Be aware heart disease doesn't matter what you -- who you are or where you live it can affect you and you can be an agent of change for yourself and your community.
I think another area and you know -- the professional in the room.
It is.
Their husbands.
And significant others I think guys.
Have to get it together.
When it comes to realizing.
Because you know perfect example.
I'm all for you know I'm all for awareness -- that.
Continue to do that -- -- and you have my full support but I want to see some.
Change I wanna see some action I want to see more -- -- -- to see more African American cooks on television.
Because what happens is you know.
Our race might raise your race we know we have customs and we have ways that we live and things that we like to eat.
And let me tell you for some guys and I do this in my practice I said -- I -- for the lady please come let's cut the salt you can do it.
Now I came from you know my momma used -- for me you know rice and beans and they were really spicy salty.
And I married a woman who is very health conscious and says you don't know you know.
Commonly give to be -- but I'm gonna make my style and the first to -- two or three times and I paced than they -- terrible.
Terrible now I love them.
You gotta you know you you grow the pace and then you realize.
That this is about the family and I think that we got to get the guy is in -- together to also.
-- Did all of this is good -- the change is good you know.
Well you know women really do take care taking role for families and I think it's important that the whole family really.
Focuses on this together and that we empower women to be that agents of change so that they can bring their families along with them and their communities along with some.
And if we can find that point that nexus point where you know.
Someone in the family is really taking as you said that step towards making the whole family healthy trying to make the right choices with increasing.
Fruits and vegetables decreasing salt choosing lower fat low cholesterol choices for meals.
Then I think we really can see almost a network type effect of improvement across our communities and across our country.
What can people get more information.
I would definitely go to our website for more information where at www.
NHL BI -- NIH dot gov.
We also have the heart truth campaign where we have lots of information about things that you can do questions you can ask your position.
As well as.
A FaceBook page where we'll be live streaming some information all month during -- American heart disease awareness month.
So lots of information for people to empower them to be the agents of change in their families and their communities.
Thank you someone who is great formation and I hope everybody had their listens because this we have to make you change and we have to bring the numbers to.
Thank you.
I did you have any health questions you can.
Foxnews.com thanks for watching for Fox News -- document.
