February is American Heart Month, which focuses on heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, especially among women, and especially Black women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease kills one in three women in the United States, more than deaths from cancer combined.

Black women have higher mortality rates from cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and stroke, and are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than white women.

Dr. Leandris Liburd is the acting director of CDC’s Office of Health Equity and joined “All Things Thoughted” to address some of the drivers of these disparities.

She said factors such as structural racism and economic policies contribute to these disparities by increasing economic stress and limiting access to quality health care.

That was the case for Tara Robinson and Tina Marie Marsden, two black women who experienced heart failure but had their symptoms ignored by medical professionals for a variety of reasons.

At the age of 28, Marsden was diagnosed with congestive heart failure shortly after giving birth to her second son, even though there was no history of heart disease in her family. Her symptoms were so severe that a heart pump was implanted to keep her alive.

Now, 30 years later, Tina has grown into an advocate and peer support specialist, sharing her journey with other young mothers. She founded her support group, Sistas Meetup, and was instrumental in passing Georgia’s Maternal and Child Health Act, which expanded Medicaid coverage after she gave birth.

Robinson is CEO and co-founder of the Black Heart Association, which he started after suffering three heart attacks in three days in his 30s.

The Black Heart Association aims to eliminate heart health disparities in Black and brown communities through advocacy, education, and empowerment.

Dr. Rivard said most cardiovascular diseases are preventable with proper medical care and lifestyle changes.

The CDC Foundation’s Live to the Beat campaign recently launched the “Heart2Heart Challenge” to encourage Black women to practice self-care for heart health with steps such as daily walks, stress reduction, and monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. The purpose is to make it a priority. While building a support system.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.