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Black women are disproportionately affected by heart disease, but how can we change this alarming disparity? It starts with knowledge.

Heart disease is often seen as a condition that primarily affects older men, but the reality tells a very different—and urgent—story for Black women. Despite making up a vital and vibrant part of our communities, Black women are disproportionately affected by heart disease; in fact, it’s the number one cause of death in the community, according to the American Heart Association.

So why are Black women at a higher risk, and what can we do about it?

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Higher health risk factors impact Black women.

Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders, according to the Mayo Clinic. These illnesses are serious and can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart attacks and strokes. Black women are more likely than any other group to experience health conditions that significantly raise the risk of developing heart disease. These risk factors are not simply the result of individual choices—they are deeply tied to long-standing social and economic inequities.

Alarmingly, nearly 59% of Black women ages 20 and over are living with some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease. Here’s a closer look at the most prevalent risk factors associated with it.

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1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)Black women have the highest rates of high blood pressure in the U.S., yet only 25% have it under control. This is one of the strongest predictors of heart disease and cardiac arrest. Chronic high blood pressure can damage the inner walls of blood vessels. As the body tries to repair the damage, cholesterol and fats can build up at the site, forming plaque—a process called atherosclerosis. This narrows the arteries, reduces blood flow, and significantly raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back, as well as numbness or coldness in the legs or arms, Mayo Clinic notes.2. ObesityNearly 57% of Black women are obese, the highest percentage across all racial and gender groups. Excess weight—especially abdominal fat—puts additional strain on the heart and is closely linked to hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.3. Type 2 DiabetesBlack women are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and to go undiagnosed. Diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves that control the heart, making it a major contributor to cardiovascular disease.4. StrokeThe prevalence of stroke in Black women is twice as high as in white women. Stroke and heart disease are closely linked, often stemming from shared risk factors like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.5. High CholesterolElevated levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol are common and often go untreated. Over time, high cholesterol contributes to the development of plaque in the arteries.6. Physical InactivityBlack women are more likely to experience barriers to regular physical activity, such as a lack of safe places to exercise, limited time due to work and caregiving responsibilities, and under-resourced neighborhoods, where food insecurity is prevalent. These barriers make it harder to maintain heart health and prevent weight gain or manage chronic condition

The post The 6 Biggest Threats To Black Women’s Heart Health—And How To Fight Them appeared first on MadameNoire.



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