Cardiovascular health risks continue to grow within Black communities, action needed

(Press-News.org) DALLAS, Feb. 7, 2025 — The American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update  reports that while progress has been made in reducing cardiovascular and cerebral health disparities, Black communities in the United States still  face disproportionately higher risk of heart disease, stroke and hypertension. These gaps subsequently contribute to equally disproportionate high death rates, underscoring the urgent need for lifesaving intervention. As part of its nationwide Heart Month and Black History Month activations, the American Heart Association -- devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all -- is highlighting the need to close the survival gap through continued education, advocacy and Hands-Only CPR training. The American Heart Association’s goal: ensuring all people, especially those at greatest risk, have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.

Addressing the Disproportionate Burden of Cardiovascular Disease

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. The report notes that Black Americans suffer some of the worst CVD health outcomes, likely due to the increasing prevalence of health risk factors that lead to CVD.

CVD Prevalence: Among people aged 20 and older in the U.S., nearly 60% of Black adults have some type of CVD, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and hypertension; that’s compared to about 49% of all U.S. adults who have some type of CVD. Stroke Disparities: Among all adults in the U.S., the prevalence of stroke is highest among Black women (5.4%) and Black men (4.8%), compared to all women at 2.9% and all men at 3.6%. High Blood Pressure Crisis: Black adults in the U.S have some of the highest prevalence of hypertension in the world, with 58.4% of Black women and 57.5% of Black men having high blood pressure. That compares to 50.4% of all U.S. adult men and 43% of all women. Heart Failure Burden: Black adults account for over 50% of heart failure hospitalizations among U.S. adults under 50. “The science is clear—Black communities continue to face disproportionate risks of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions, leading to poorer survival outcomes. But data alone won’t drive change,” said Dr. Keith Churchwell, MD, FACC, FACP, FAHA, chief volunteer scientific and medical officer of the American Heart Association. “Real impact happens when we work directly with communities formulating ideas and creating plans and programs to create solutions that address these disparities. By providing access to Hands-Only CPR training, advocating for equitable healthcare, and fostering heart health education, we are committed to working with the community to change the future of health.”

Act and Become a Lifesaver

This February, the Association is challenging families, schools and community organizations to take part in its Hands-Only CPR training initiative and join Nation of Lifesavers™. With nine out of every ten cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital resulting in death, learning CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Only 46% of people who suffer from cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander, while CPR is 41% less likely if the person is Black or Hispanic.

“Learning Hands-Only CPR is a simple, powerful step we can all take to save lives. Black History Month serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black Americans throughout history, as well as the persistent disparities in health that impact Black and Latino communities today,” said Churchwell. “Through the Nation of Lifesavers movement, we’re not only equipping individuals with critical CPR skills, but we’re also working to close the health equity gap, so every individual has the opportunity for a longer, healthier life.”

The Association’s Commitment to Closing the Health Gap

To combat these disparities, the American Heart Association is leading initiatives to:

Expand CPR Education in Black Communities – Encouraging every household to have at least one person trained in Hands-Only CPR to increase survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Improve Access to Hypertension Management – Raising awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of stroke and heart disease. Increase Stroke Prevention Efforts – Providing resources and education about lifestyle changes, early warning signs, and emergency response to reduce stroke-related disabilities and deaths. Advocate for Equitable Healthcare Policies – Supporting policies that ensure that Black individuals, as much as everyone else, receive timely, high-quality cardiovascular care, including expanding community-based health screenings.
Expanding Heart Health Awareness

To bridge this gap and improve heart health outcomes, the American Heart Association is collaborating with Black-led organizations, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and community leaders to create and implement culturally relevant solutions to ensure that heart health education reaches those most affected.

Some examples include:

With a commitment to investing in young entrepreneurs, The Association’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ is a fully remote training and grant opportunity focused on empowering business owners who are focused on equitable health solutions.

The Heart of Innovation HBCU Challenge is a business accelerator opportunity specifically for HBCU undergraduates, graduates and alumni who are developing entrepreneurial technology intended to address the social drivers of health, improve cardiovascular health and/or promote healthy environments. In collaboration with MATTER Heart Health, a global healthcare startup incubator, the American Association will host the Final Virtual Showcase of the four-week Innovation at Heart HBCU Challenge, on Feb. 24.

Historically Black colleges and universities graduate the largest number of African American scholars in the field of medicine. (More than 70% of African American medical professionals earn degrees from HBCUs.) The American Heart Association designed the HBCU Scholars Program to increase the number of HBCU students who can compete successfully for acceptance and matriculation into graduate programs leading to professional degrees in the biomedical and health sciences. 

The American Heart Association’s Health Equity in the Workforce initiative, Well-Being Works Better™, in collaboration with the Deloitte Health Equity Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management ( SHRM) Foundation, is convening employers and industry leaders to build a comprehensive roadmap that creates tools, resources and knowledge products to help improve the health and well-being of our nation's workforce.

The American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds were established to bring equitable health across the board. The Association’s financing fills a critical resource gap for traditionally overlooked and underfunded organizations, and solutions, both for-profit and nonprofit. Providing solutions to aid everyone in overcoming barriers that prevent high-quality, accessible health care, food security and economic empowerment. Since its launch in 2018 and initial community investments in 2019, the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds, including the Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund, have supported more than 100 local social enterprises across the country. Learn more about the American Heart Association Social Impact Funds here. 

Additional Resources:

For more information on Hands-Only CPR training and how to get involved, find a nearby class. Understanding the Importance of the Lay Responder Experience in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Difference in Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack Learn Hands-Only CPR/use an AED (English, Spanish, Mandarin) AHA health information: Bystander CPR AHA health information: Bystander CPR Infographic AHA health information: Hands-Only CPR Resources Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews ###

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

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