African American Women Losing the Battle of Heart Disease

The war on heart disease among women is being lost. There is no other way say it. This unsettling news comes from a recent article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. African American women are at particular risk because of the high prevalence of obesity and lifelong inactivity for both young and older females. Physicians must educate women about heart disease andremind them constantly that obesity, lack of exercise, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, and elevated cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease that can lead to early death. Not discussing these factors with at-risk patients is bad patient care. Ladies, talk to your physician about your risk for heart disease and let’s start today to turn these numbers around.

I am Dr. Thaddeus John Bell --- Closing the Gap in Health Disparities for African Americans.

Bell Update Volume 3, Chapter 19
Copyright May 2008