1. Ethnicity and Cardiovascular Disease Africans Americans

2. Heart Disease Among Africans Studies have shown Africans are at higher risk for heart disease Many factors are attributed to higher rates of cardiovascular disease http://www.ishib.org/ED/journal/17-1/ethn-17-01-143.pdf

3. Risk Factors Higher prevalence of hypertension when compared to a white population (two-fold higher) Significantly higher risk of diabetes African women have the highest prevalence of abdominal obesity Near top for limited leisure activity http://www.ishib.org/ED/journal/17-1/ethn-17-01-143.pdf

4. Risk Factors Now we know there is a higher risk in this ethnic group… but why? Researchers are not quite sure but say some reasons may be: –Genetic Factors –Environmental Factors –A Combination of Factors http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/30/suppl_1/S48.full.pdf+html

5. Cardiovascular Disease Coronary Heart Disease Stroke Peripheral Vascular Disease

6. Coronary Heart Disease Leading cause of death among Africans Among highest in the world There has been a decline since 1968 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2561855/

7. Average age of incidence was 69 years of age compared to whites which was 75, hispanics were 63 Incidence rates reflect cerebral infarction rates Stroke http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/147/3/259.full.pdf+html

8. Peripheral Vascular Disease Black ethnicity considered independent risk factor Risk cannot be explained by excess diabetes, hypertension or CVD risk factors http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/112/17/2703.full.pdf+html

9. Screening and diagnostic tests Cholesterol screening Blood pressure screening Access other risk factors –Age –Sex –Heredity –Stress –BMI http://ddsn.sc.gov/providers/manualsandguidelines/Documents/HealthCareGuidelines/Cardio vascularScreening.pdf

10. Exercise Prescription Normal Prescription Emphasis on leisure time activity Cardiovascular exercise 3x/week Increase heart rate past 60% of HRR All major muscle groups worked at least twice per week

11. Exercise Prescription Emphasis on breathing to control blood pressure Stretch along with exercise to maintain flexibility and improve circulation