Defeating heart disease means all of us working together | Opinion

Many women do not know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in this country. It is a silent killer that impacts women more than men, and it disproportionately impacts women of color. Black women are over 200% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than white women. For generations, women of color have battled heart problems, but if we work together, we can help South Florida reverse this trend.

At only 45 years old, I suffered a heart attack and a stroke in a short span. This is when my fight began. After seven surgeries, I was finally able to take control of my life and recover from my heart attack. After this experience, I knew I needed to help others prevent a health scare like mine.

As a community, we must work together to break generational patterns of cardiovascular disease for women of color. I started the nonprofit Heart Sistas to do just that. Our organization is helping to unite women in South Florida to take back control of their health through education and lifestyle changes.

When I was treated for my heart attack and stroke, I felt powerless because the medical professionals treating me did not hear my voice on my situation. Often, women of color do not know the right questions to ask medical professionals. They feel like they do not know enough about their health to ask these questions, or physicians do not listen to Black women due to persistent disparities in care. This is why half of patients leave their doctor’s appointment not knowing what they were told or what they should do next. If we can help women know more about their health, they will feel empowered to ask the right questions and take the right steps to improve their health.

An influential part of progress is a supportive community. Heart Sistas has created a Facebook group, In It to Win It, to empower and support women who need it the most. The key part of our group is creating a no-judgment zone to meet women where they are and help them progress in their journey to a healthier life. Our Facebook group works together to share healthy recipes, encourage each other to get up every day to be better than before, and coordinate in-person meet-ups. When you receive a diagnosis, it can be the most isolating time in your life, but this group is where women can go to find answers to their questions and access a loving community of fellow women.

Generational patterns of cardiovascular disease are largely influenced by the lifestyles passed down to children. While our parents may have raised us as best they could, they did not have all the information about healthy eating and active lifestyles that we have now. Women can continue their traditions and great parenting while improving their health with lifestyle changes, like lowering sodium intake or including 30 minutes of physical activity in their daily routines.

While raising awareness for this issue is helpful, we need action in our community to unite against this silent killer. Together, we can equip women in South Florida with the resources they need to live a healthier lifestyle. Whether it is joining a community like ours or asking more questions of your doctor on your next visit, we can all make changes to live healthier year-round.

Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis is the founder of Heart Sistas, a nonprofit based in Fort Lauderdale.