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New Survey Shows African Americans are Concerned With Heart Health but Unaware of Link to Brain Health
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Alzheimer’s Association and American Heart Association Join Forces to Educate African Americans on Managing Heart Health to Promote Brain Health
A recent survey commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Heart Association has found that, among African-Americans, two out of three (60%) expressed concern about developing heart disease, and two out of five (40%) expressed concern about developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, only about one in 20 (6%) are aware that heart health is linked to brain health.
To address this knowledge gap, the Alzheimer’s Association is teaming up with the American Heart Association to educate African Americans that by managing their cardiovascular risk, they may also strengthen their cognitive health. This first-time strategic alliance kicked off in February (to coincide with Black History Month and American Heart Month) and will extend through May, which is American Stroke Month.
Compared to the Caucasian majority population, African Americans have a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular complications, which could lead to a higher risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
“What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” says Alzheimer’s Association spokesperson Jennifer Manly, PhD. “Every healthy heartbeat pumps about one-fifth of your blood to your brain. The human brain is comprised of billions of brain cells that need a constant source of nutrients and oxygen, which is carried in the blood so that the brain can carry on the daily processes of thinking, problem solving and remembering.
Impaired heart function could lead to impaired brain function.”
“By the year 2030, the number of African Americans age 65 or older is expected to more than double to 6.9 million,” adds Emil Matarese, MD, clinical neurologist and American Heart Association spokesperson. “Although Alzheimer’s is not part of normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. So it is important that African Americans take steps now to decrease their risk of heart disease, which research has shown could also decrease the risk of cognitive decline.”
Survey Results
The Alzheimer’s Association and the American Heart Association survey, conducted by Richard Day Research, Inc., was a nationwide poll conducted online with a random sample of 1,210 African Americans and 1,004 non-African American adults, weighted to represent the full U.S. population of African Americans in terms of gender, age and household income, and the full U.S. population of non-African Americans in terms of gender, age, household income, race and ethnicity. The maximum margin of error for a random sample of this size among both African Americans and non-African Americans is +/- 3%.
The survey found that:
- African Americans are concerned about the risk of both heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
- One third (33%) of African American respondents reported being diagnosed with high blood pressure, and about one in five (22%) reported being diagnosed with high cholesterol.
- Large majorities of African Americans have been diagnosed or are personally concerned about cardiovascular disease and other related conditions. Diseases and levels of concern are: high blood pressure (74% diagnosed or concerned), heart disease (65% diagnosed or concerned) and high cholesterol (64%).
- Two out of five (40%) of African Americans are concerned about developing Alzheimer’s disease. Over one quarter (28%) know a family member or friend who has Alzheimer’s.
- More than half of the African American respondents (54%) knew that they are at greater risk for heart disease, but fewer than one in ten (8%) knew that they have a higher risk of developing dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The survey also revealed that fewer than one in ten African Americans know that cardiovascular and other related diseases are linked to Alzheimer’s, including:
- Heart disease linked to Alzheimer’s (6% aware)
- High blood pressure linked to Alzheimer’s (8% aware)
- Diabetes linked to Alzheimer’s (6% aware)
- High cholesterol linked to Alzheimer’s (5% aware)
Nearly two thirds (63%) of the African American survey respondents reported doing things in their lives specifically for heart health. This includes:
- Eating heart healthy foods (46%)
- Exercising (44%)
- Managing their weight (40%)
Fewer, though still half (50%) of African American respondents reported doing things in their lives specifically for brain health. For example:
- Staying mentally active by doing puzzles (43%)
- Staying socially active (36%)
- Eating “brain healthy” foods (35%)
Steps African Americans Can Take to Control Their Risks
Watch your numbers:
- Desirable blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
- Desirable fasting blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dL.
- Keep your body weight in the recommended range.
- Desirable total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL.
Make healthy lifestyle choices:
- Stay mentally active.
- Remain socially involved.
- Stay physically active.
- Reduce your intake of fat and cholesterol.
- Don’t smoke.
For More Information
To learn more about the heart disease/Alzheimer’s connection, visit www.alz.org/heartbrain or contact the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 272-3900. In addition, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has developed the Power To End Stroke campaign, designed to educate African Americans about their increased risk for stroke. For information about this program, visit www.strokeassociation.org/power or call the American Stroke Association at (888) 478-7653.
—compiled by the editors of Minority Nurse
magazine
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