Heart disease is the cause of death in 1 in 4 African-Americans. In fact, almost half of African-Americans have some type of cardiovascular disease. This groundbreaking study on heart disease in African-Americans completed this year shows promising results to provide a better way towards heart health.
Largest Study On Heart Disease in African-Americans Completed
Groundbreaking Study on Heart Disease
The observational study done by Jackon Heart Study (JHS) began in 2000, spanning 17 years. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) funded this research and are continuing to attempt to find out the cause behind the disparities in heart health.
The study observed the health of approximately 5,300 African-Americans in Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area. As a result, they found 3 likely causes as to why African-Americans have higher rates of heart disease.
The Findings
1. Small Spikes in Blood Pressure
The JHS found that for every 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) that increased in blood pressure, there was a 12% greater risk of death for African-Americans and a 7% higher risk to be hospitalized from heart failure.
This discovery could lead to better preventative measures and tips to at-risk blood pressure patients.
2. Gene Defect
African-Americans with a gene named APOL1 have nearly double the risk of cardiovascular disease and higher risk for kidney disease than people who do not carry this gene. In fact, about 10% of African-Americans have this gene, yet it’s quite uncommon in whites and non-African populations.
3. Sickle Cell
African-Americans with sickle cell are at a 60% greater risk of developing kidney disease than people who don’t have the trait. People with the sickle cell trait only carry one copy of the sickle cell gene, while people with sickle cell disease carry two.
This opens doors to more research regarding sickle cell and kidney disease and possible preventing kidney disease in the future.
In addition, another finding showed that there is a specific gene called SLC30A8 that helps to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by about 65%. In fact, this gene is actually a defect but helps to reduce the risk of diabetes significantly.
Because African-Americans do have a higher risk of heart disease, doctors have no magic answer to reduce heart health risks. Likewise, the only way to prevent it is by living by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7.
In this way, you can be more productive and live longer by reducing your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and heart attack.
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