• African-Americans are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than Caucasians. The prevalence of these diseases in non-Hispanic black females is 49 percent, compared to 35 percent in non-Hispanic white females.

• African-American males and females have higher death rates from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than white males and females.

• High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. The rate of high blood pressure for non-Hispanic black females age 20 and older is 46.6 percent.

• The risk of heart disease and stroke increases with physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is more prevalent in women, African-Americans and Hispanics. For African-American females age 18 and older, 33.9 percent are inactive, compared to 21.6 percent of white females.

• Among non-Hispanic black females ages 20 and older, 79.6 percent are overweight and obese.

• Of people 18 and older, 17.3 percent of non-Hispanic black females smoke, putting themselves at increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Return to our 2011 Go Red for Women Index

For additional information contact
American Heart Association
at (888) MY-HEART (694 –3278) or visit their website.