Heart Disease in Black Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Heart disease in Black men is a critical health issue, claiming more lives than any other condition in this group.

The information you probably didn’t know is that black men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than white men.

This statistic from the CDC shows how Black men have a higher prevalence of heart disease than any other group because of genetic, environmental, and social factors.

Even in the current society, many Black men are still vulnerable to the disease due to poor access to treatment, awareness, and preventive measures.

This article will explore the signs, risk factors, and management of heart disease in black men in a bid to understand how we can deal with this emerging health epidemic.

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Black Men

Black men may present different symptoms based on the type of heart disease that they are suffering from. However, some common symptoms to watch for include:

1. Chest Pain (Angina)

The first and likely most common of these signs is chest discomfort, which may be described as pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest. It can be transient, last during exercise or physical activity, or chronic.

2. Fatigue and Weakness

Weakness or fatigue, experienced especially after slight exercise or even when idle, could result from poor heart function.

Most Black men consider this a stress-induced symptom and, therefore, do not seek appropriate treatment.

3. Shortness of Breath

Dyspnoea is a frequent sign that manifests during physical effort. Dyspnea may also be experienced at rest or during lying down, which is a sign of heart failure.

4. Palpitations and Rapid Heartbeat

Irregular heartbeats or a rapid pulse could be a sign of atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm problems, which, if left untreated, may escalate into other severe cardiovascular complications.

5. Swelling (Edema)

Swelling of legs, feet, or abdomen due to lack of proper blood circulation is also a sign of heart disease in Black men. Oedema usually increases and is usually more pronounced as time goes on.

6. Lightheadedness or Dizziness

This is especially true when frequent dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness occurs, which indicates low blood flow, a characteristic of heart disease.

Black men should not ignore these signs, and they should consult a doctor anytime they develop them, no matter how small they may be.

It is not rare for Black men to have heart disease to become latent and only become critical when the patient suffers a heart attack.

Causes of Heart Disease in Black Men

It is imperative to know the causes of heart diseases in the black male to prevent and treat them. Several factors contribute to the higher rates of heart disease among Black men, including:

1. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

High blood pressure, which is one of the significant causes of heart disease, affects black men more than other groups.

Hypertension damages the walls of the blood vessels by forcing blood through them, which may result in heart attack or stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure affects almost 57% of Black men, while this rate is lower in other races.

2. Diabetes

Black men’s type 2 diabetes is higher than that of white men, and it increases the risk of developing heart disease by twofold.

Diabetes affects the blood vessels and nerves responsible for the heart’s proper functioning.

It is essential, therefore, to control the blood sugar level to minimize the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

3. Obesity

This is also evident in Black men, where obesity levels are also higher, which causes cholesterol and high blood pressure and predisposes one to diabetes and, thus, heart disease.

It was also found that 40% of Black men fall under the category of obesity, and this already puts them at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.

4. Smoking

Smoking is still the leading cause of heart disease. For Black men who smoke, the chances of getting heart disease are as good as dead.

Smoking affects the arterial walls, causes plaque formation, and reduces the blood vessels’ diameter, narrowing the arteries to the heart.

5. Poor Diet

Sodium, fats, and processed sugars lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and other diseases.

Black males, especially those who are in a position to make unhealthy food choices, are likely to develop cardiovascular diseases.

6. Lack of Physical Activity

Physical activity suits the heart and blood vessels because it maintains health.

Nevertheless, many Black men do not meet the recommended level of physical activity because of time constraints or work-related stress, leading to poor heart health.

7. Genetic Factors

Heritability is also a factor, as some genes that are inherited put Black men at a higher risk of developing heart diseases.

Hereditary factors such as a history of heart disease in the family make one more prone to cardiovascular complications, including at a younger age.

Treatments for Heart Disease in Black Men

After the diagnosis of heart disease, management of the diseases in black men involves the use of drugs, diet, and, at times, surgeries. Here are some common treatment strategies:

Medications

Antihypertensive Drugs: Drugs such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics are used in the treatment of high blood pressure – one of the leading causes of heart disease.

Statins: These are used to treat hypertension and other related conditions, such as cholesterol, to minimize the chances of developing heart attacks and other associated complications, such as strokes.

Blood Thinners: This is because they are given drugs like aspirin or anticoagulants to prevent the formation of clots, which will help reduce the incidences of stroke and heart attacks.

Lifestyle Changes

Diet: A heart-healthy diet has little or low amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. The dietary approach to stopping hypertension (DASH), which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, is very much preferred by Black men.

Regular Exercise: According to specialists, people should moderate-intensity exercise for at least 150 minutes weekly. Physical exercise has been proven to reduce high blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol levels, and keep off excessive weight.

Quitting Smoking: Quitting smoking significantly decreases the chances of developing heart disease. When one decides to leave, one can reduce the risk of heart disease within a year.

Surgical Interventions

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG): CABG benefits men with severe coronary artery disease by reestablishing blood circulation to the heart by creating detours around blocked arteries.

Angioplasty and Stent Placement: In less complex cases, angioplasty involves widening arteries to unblock them and implanting a stent to ensure they remain open and provide the correct blood supply.

Preventing Heart Disease in Black Men

Prevention is better than cure as far as heart diseases are concerned, though treatment is equally important.

Black men can take proactive measures to prevent heart disease by incorporating the following habits into their daily lives:

1. Routine Health Screenings

Routine medical check-ups on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels identify and manage complications early.

2. Healthy Eating

These include avoiding processed foods and reducing salt and sugar intake to manage hypertension and cholesterol effectively.

Research has proven that it is possible to lower blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg when one embraces the DASH diet.

3. Physical Activity

Cardio exercises such as walking, running, or cycling strengthen the heart. Even 30 minutes of exercise daily can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

4. Mental Health Care

It is essential to reduce stress by practicing meditation, therapy, or exercise, as stress can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems.

5. Education and Awareness

It is essential to enhance Black men’s knowledge of heart disease; it can be life-saving. Knowing what puts people at risk and urging friends and family to go for a check-up can go a long way.

Conclusion

Heart disease has impacted Black men the most, and it remains a significant health concern, but we can conquer it.

Black men can actively reduce their risk by recognizing the symptoms early, understanding why they occur, and seeking the proper treatment.

Preventing heart disease requires adopting a healthy lifestyle and attending regular check-ups.

What changes will you make in your daily habits to keep your heart healthy?

Will you take action and remind the men in your life to get tested?

Now is the time to act. Embrace healthier choices today for a longer, healthier life.

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At Enthusiast Express, we pride ourselves in ensuring that people are informed on the various health complications, such as heart disease in black men. Our website has a wide array of resources covering all aspects of heart health, diet, exercise, and stress.

Be a responsible citizen and start caring for your health today at Enthusiast Express; it will be good for your heart!

Heart Disease in Black Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments