By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., especially for Black Americans who have a higher risk of dying from the disease than their White counterparts, according to UChicago Medicine.
“Roughly 60 percent of Black American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Karla Robinson, a board-certified family physician. “This includes high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and coronary artery disease. We are much more likely to die from these conditions than our White counterparts. It’s very important that we understand the importance of heart health and recognize the signs.”
Still, heart disease can be prevented. Taking charge of and advocating for heart health is important for improving an individual’s heart health. The following contains several ways Black Americans can start or better advocate for themselves in the doctor’s office.
Interview and establish a relationship with your doctor
When visiting a doctor for the first time Dr. Jarrett Manning, owner and dentist at JLM Dental Studio, suggests people interview their doctor.
“You’re getting to know the doctor and how they operate. In return, the doctor is trying to get to know you better,” said Manning. “In order to advocate for your health, the doctor needs to sit down and have conversations with you about what’s going on.”
Manning emphasized that it takes time to have these conversations.
Manning said people should focus on ensuring their doctor is the right fit during that initial session. She suggested an array of questions Black Americans could ask their doctors when interviewing them.
“What is the plan if this is a positive or a negative result?” she said. “Where do I go from here? Were they listening to me? Is this a good fit?”
Manning also recommended building a network of people to help Black Americans advocate for themselves in the doctor’s office.
“Have a strong support system,” said Manning. “We all can’t go through life by ourselves. Building a network of people, individuals, whether a family support group or advocacy organization…those are the strong allies that can help strengthen your voice.”
Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, medical director at Urgent Care Clinics at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, suggested taking “someone with you when you go to the clinic. I encourage my patients to bring someone with them. I’m okay with them having a friend on the phone.”
Make sure you educate yourself
“I believe that the more you know, the more you can do something about it,” said Curry-Winchell. “The knowledge part is powerful.”
Several of the doctors said you should “know your numbers.”
“Know what normal blood pressure is, know your blood pressure and the blood pressure you are working toward,” said Dr. Tochukwu “Tochi” Okwuosa, professor of medicine and cardiology at Rush University Medical Center.
Doctors said Black Americans should document every issue and conversation with their doctor and keep up with their medical records.
Doctors said it’s never too early to begin taking charge of your heart health.
“There’s so many silent conditions that can happen to you even at a young age,” said Curry-Wynchell. “There’s this thought that, ‘once I get older I have to take care of my health.’ We know that Black Americans already have a short lifespan [compared to our counterparts]. Whatever you can do to invest in your health at the earliest age is so important.”
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