You may know that heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States. But did you know that the risks are even higher for Black Americans?
Fast Facts: Black Americans & Heart Disease
- Black Americans are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke than White Americans.1
- Black women (49%) and Black men (44%) have higher rates of heart disease than White men (37%) and White women (32%).1
- Between the ages of 45 and 64, Black men have a 70% higher risk and Black women have a 50% greater risk of developing heart failure than White men and women.2
- The earlier onset of heart failure means higher rates of hospitalization, earlier disability, and higher rates of premature death (death before the age of 65) for Black Americans.2
- The annual rate of first heart attacks and first strokes is higher for Black Americans than White Americans.1
Fast Facts: Black Americans & Risk Factors
- The prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension)in Black Americans is among the highest in the world, and it is increasing. Rates are particularly high for Black women.1
- In addition, Blacks develop high blood pressure earlier in life and their average blood pressure numbers are much higher than Whites. As a result, Blacks have a 1.3-times greater rate of nonfatal stroke, a 1.8-times greater rate of fatal stroke, a 1.5-times greater rate of death attributable to heart disease than Whites.1
- Black Americans are 77% more likely than White Americans to be diagnosed with diabetes.1
- Black and Hispanic adults are more likely to be inactive 39.4% and 39.8%, respectively) than White adults (26.2%).1
- Black (80%) and Mexican-American (78%) women are more likely to be overweight or obese than White women (60%).
Take Charge of Your Heart Health
Although the statistics above paint a troubling picture of Black Americans and heart disease, all is not lost! There are three simple things you can do to reduce your risk for heart disease, starting today.
- Know your risk factors. Although your can’t change your age or heredity, there are many other risk factors for heart disease that you can control.
- Talk to your doctor. At your next doctor’s appointment, bring our list of questions and a heart health scorecard to help assess your risk for heart disease.
- Reduce your risk. Making simple, healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your risk for heart disease.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu