National Minority Health Awareness Month |
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. You can reduce your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medicine.
How Does Heart Disease Affect African American Populations?
- In 2019, African Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
- Although African American adults are 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, they are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control.
- African American women are nearly 50 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, as compared to non-Hispanic white women.
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What you can do to prevent heart disease. |
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By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack. |
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Choose healthy meals and snacks to help prevent heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.
- Eating foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol can help prevent high cholesterol.
- Do not drink too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure.
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Maintain a healthy weight.
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Get regular physical activity.
- Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.
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Don't Smoke
Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.
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- COVER ALL KIDS
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ALL income eligible kids (under age 19) in Rhode Island can enroll in RIte Care (Medicaid) Health insurance coverage, regardless of immigration status, including children who are undocumented and DACA recipients. For more information, click here
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Medicaid Members - Is your mailing address up to date?
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It is important that your address is up-to-date and that you read everything you get in the mail from the State of Rhode Island and from your health plan. For more information, click here
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Join our next Patient Advisory Group Meeting - May 9, 2023
- The Patient Advisory Group (PAG) is all about our patients. This group has a specific focus on patient engagement, customer service experience and the delivery of low-cost, high-quality multidisciplinary care.
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If you are interested in joining, email us at patientadvisorygroup@bvchc.org or call (401)312-9878.
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Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN)
Monday, April 17th, 6-7pm
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Learn how the RIPIN Cedar team helps families of children and youth with special health care needs access services that support healthy family functioning. You're Invited to an Intro to Cedar Join us for a virtual presentation. For more information, click here.
- Food on the Move
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This is a direct service program of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. It is a year-round mobile produce market that brings fresh fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods throughout Rhode Island and makes healthy food affordable by offering customers a 50% discount on produce purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars. For more information, click here
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Blackstone Valley Community Health Care celebrating 30 years of offering the highest quality, lowest cost health care. Thank you for trusting us with your care. |
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Blackstone Valley Community Health Care | Website
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