February is American Heart Month!
Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States but impacts some communities disproportionately? Health problems that increase the risk of heart disease are common in African American communities, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and being overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases the risk of heart disease. But the good news is that there’s a lot we can do to prevent it.
Did you know?
African American women 20 years and older: 81% are overweight, 58% have high blood pressure, 30% have high cholesterol, and 13% have been diagnosed with diabetes.
African American men 20 years and older: 72% are overweight, 57% have high blood pressure, 28% have high cholesterol, and 12% have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Help raise awareness about heart health among those you care about. Have conversations about heart health so they can better understand their risk factors for heart disease and take actionable steps to prevent or reduce them.
Lifestyle Tips
Here are some facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you and your community to work together to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- Be more physically active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce stress.
- Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep.
- Track your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers.
You don’t have to make big changes all at once. Small steps will get you where you want to go.
For more information on keeping your heart healthy, join the Health Education Ministry on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 10am and Sunday, February 15, 2026, immediately following service.
Sources: American Heart Association, Kaiser Permanente, National Center for Health Statistics