HomeHealthAlarming Rise of Young Black Women at Risk for Heart Disease

Alarming Rise of Young Black Women at Risk for Heart Disease

Despite all the talk about prevention and warning signs, more Black young women under 50 are suffering from heart attacks in greater numbers than ever before

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 50,000 black women will die this year of cardiovascular disease. Despite all the talk about prevention and warning signs, more Black young women under 50 are suffering from heart attacks in greater numbers than ever before.

59% of Black women aged 20 and over are living with cardiovascular disease according to the AHA, nearly all of them have high blood pressure but only 20% have it under control. And only 39% of Black women recognize that chest pain may be a sign of a heart attack.

One cause is spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), an emergency condition that happens when a tear forms in the wall of the artery. According to the Mayo Clinic, when this tear happens, it can block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, rhythm problems, and, in some cases, sudden death. We knew that men had heart attacks that we called “widowmakers,” but it seems that SCAD could cause just as profound an outcome. The condition often occurs in women in their 40s and 50s.

Symptoms of SCAD can include:

  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Pain in the arms, shoulders, back, or jaw.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Unusual sweating.
  • Extreme tiredness.
  • Upset stomach.
  • A rapid heartbeat or fluttery feeling in the chest.
  • Feeling dizzy.

Ivy Tagger, Ph.D., was fortunate enough to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack when she was just 48 in 2015. “I got very hot, and I thought I was having my first hot flashes,” she said. ‘But also had an overall feeling of malaise.’

“The middle of my chest hurt. I had pain going down my right arm and pain in my back on the left side,” Tagger said.  At one point, she was having difficulty walking.
As fate would have it, Tagger had recently updated her CPR certification a day before having a heart attack. “I recognized the signs of a heart attack and called emergency services,” she said. “I am glad I have been CPR certified for years. Otherwise, I may not have taken the appropriate actions.”

“At first, they didn’t think I was having a heart attack based on my age, activity level, and lifestyle,” Tagger said. “But it is important that black women insist that they get all the tests to rule out a heart attack.” Once it was determined that Tagger was indeed having a heart attack, the medical team performed a procedure to repair a Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. It gave her two stents to keep her arteries open.

“At first, I thought this heart attack just came out of nowhere, but as I took a more introspective look weeks later, I realized there were many signs,” Tagger said.

She says she was extremely tired and had days when she had to force herself out of bed. “No matter how much rest I got, I was still tired.”

As a person who stays physically active, she said got concerned when “exercising was more difficult due to being so tired.  I felt overall physically ‘bad.’ Simple tasks like walking up steps or from the parking ramp to her building at work became a chore.”

Even though she said she was very conscious of her lifestyle and stayed vigilant about exercise and diet, Tagger faced one risk that many black women deal with—stress.

“I consistently overextended myself and stayed too busy in my personal, professional, and social life.

“I feel I was working at such a high-speed intensity that I didn’t even realize what it was or how it felt to just slow down and relax. But God has a way of helping you make changes whether you want to or not. So, I have scaled back immensely on accepting many unnecessary responsibilities in my life. I am prioritizing my health and family first.”

While Tagger has been a vegetarian for a decade, she continues to refine her diet as a part of her post-heart attack care. “Now I am looking even closer at my food choices, ensuring that I am eating fresh, mostly organic vegetables daily,” she said.

“There are foods that are good for the heart and arteries that I am also trying to include in my diet consistently.”

She also loves to exercise. “But after having a heart attack, I have to be very careful not to overstrain my heart muscle. Unlike intense, strenuous competitive exercise, I work out at a nice steady pace.”

She does yoga and walks, enjoys hula hooping and lightweight lifting, and uses cardio machines at the health club. Tagger, now 50, still has plans to complete a non-competitive triathlon. “I was training for one before having a heart attack,” she recalled.

No matter what age, Black women must understand and manage their risk factors.

  • Know and manage your numbers. Regularly monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
  • Manage your weight. According to the National Institutes of Health, losing 10 percent of your weight can reduce your heart attack or stroke risk.
  • Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, prepare more foods at home, reduce your sugary drinks and junk food intake, and watch your portions.
  • Don’t smoke. If you have never smoked, don’t start. If you are a smoker, quit.
  • Get moving. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can reduce your risks significantly.
  • Get a grip on your stress. Everyone has it. The key is to find tools like yoga and meditation to help you find your center.

From News One

Categories

Latest Posts