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Diabetes & Heart Disease in African-American Women

According to the Federal Government Source for Women's Health Information, black women are 35 percent more likely than white women to die from heart disease. Coupled with diabetes and other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking and lack of exercise can increase the chances of heart disease.

  1. Diabetes

    • Black women usually suffer from type 2 diabetes, which can appear at any age. With this form, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't utilize it properly.

    Take Control

    • Improved glucose levels, cholesterol and lipids can reduce heart complications by 50 percent. Good care of the feet, the eyes and the kidneys prevent amputations of the feet, vision loss and renal failure.

    Heart Disease

    • Heart disease is a group of heart conditions that affect the blood vessels and heart. Plaque builds up in the arteries and blocks the flow of blood to the heart. This blockage can cause angina or a heart attack.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If black women don't smoke, eat more healthfully, maintain a healthy weight and reduce their blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, they can improve their chances against acquiring heart disease.

    Together

    • In the past 30 years, the death rate from heart disease in black women with diabetes has increased 23 percent compared to black women without diabetes.

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