Heart disease has always been part of my family’s story. high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attacks. It’s one of those things that stays in the back of your mind, tucked away like a mental Post-it note reminding you to pay attention to this. You might’ve grown up hearing, “It runs in the family,” without always being told what to do with that information. According to the American Heart Association, about 63% of Black men and nearly 60% of Black women have cardiovascular disease.
Now that we’ve transitioned into Daylight Saving Time, it’s important to be extra intentional about heart health. According to the data, there was a 24% increase in heart attacks on the Monday following the switch to daylight saving time, making it vital that Black families focus on heart health. When something is that common, it’s more than just family history for every individual.
Genetics plays a role. But so does stress, environment, access to care, and trying to stay healthy in an unjust society. Understanding how all of that connects is key to improving outcomes. It’s bigger than five tips and a grocery list, and that part of the story doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.
For Black families, opportunity didn’t become equal overnight, and barriers didn’t suddenly disappear. Many families were left to navigate neighborhoods with fewer clinics, schools with fewer resources, underfunded housing, and financial stress that never really lets up.
For a lot of people, that wasn’t just their reality. It was also their parents’ and grandparents’ reality. Public health researcher Dr. Arline Geronimus calls this “weathering,” the idea that years of chronic stress slowly wear down the body. Living in an unjust environment keeps the body in a state of stress longer than it should be.
Over time, the heart works harder, blood pressure stays high, and health risks accumulate. The body can start aging faster. That cumulative wear and tear helps explain why heart disease shows up earlier and hits harder in Black communities.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 report, on most weekdays, about two out of ten kids nationwide ages 0 to 17 spend four or more hours watching, gaming, scrolling, or streaming on screens. For Black children, it’s closer to three out of ten. That’s a big chunk of the day spent sitting still. So with all these stacks against us, what does protecting our hearts actually look like? “You can’t just prescribe a medication and say, ‘Come back,’” said Dr. Razia Jayman-Aristide, a triple board-certified physician. She explains that Black Americans often develop high blood pressure earlier in life and in more treatment-resistant forms, which makes early, preventive care and lifestyle support even more critical.
On an individual level, it starts with knowing your numbers, especially your blood pressure and cholesterol, getting regular checkups, and knowing signs (heart attacks look different in women). Find ways to move that you enjoy, so staying active feels doable. Physical activity guidelines for adults recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity that raises your heart rate.
It also means building heart-healthy eating habits that fit your budget. Adding more fruits and vegetables, choosing lower-fat and lower-sodium versions of foods you already like, preparing them differently, using frozen or canned produce when fresh isn’t realistic, and letting plant-based proteins like beans or tofu take center stage more often can make a real difference. If you smoke or vape, reducing and ideally quitting can significantly lower your heart risk. Drinking too much alcohol over time can also strain the heart. In our communities, health should be a collective goal.
Walking groups, blood pressure monitors at barbershops and salons, wellness talks at churches, and community events led by trusted organizations can all support heart health. Your local health department or community groups may already offer programs like these. Still, at a policy level, it means investing in prevention, safe housing, clean air, affordable food, and accessible care so heart health isn’t largely shaped by where someone lives. “Doctors have to show up in spaces where policy decisions are made, so health guidance feels more doable, and people can see themselves in the solutions,” said Dr. Danielle Craigg, a Preventive Medicine and Public Health Physician.