BlackDoctor org Combating Heart Disease in the Black Community Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 21 March 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles BlackDoctor org Combating Heart Disease in the Black Community Cedars-Sinai cardiologist Merije Chukumerije, MD, specializes in Sports and Exercise Cardiology. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Doctor Merije Chukumerije MD BlackDoctor.org recently interviewed Cedars-Sinai cardiologist Merije Chukumerije, MD, about the reasons the Black community faces a higher risk of developing heart disease and effective ways to address those risks. Black Americans are more likely than others to develop high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity—the risk factors that can lead to heart disease and stroke. Chukumerije told BlackDoctor.org that socioeconomic status, access to care, and disparities in health equity are some of the reasons why these risk factors are more common in the Black community. Chukumerije said there needs to be more focus on prevention and intervention to fight this public health issue. "If a Black man or woman in their 20s or 30s appears to have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, then we should address these health risks from the start. … It’s more common for patients to see a cardiologist when they’re older, but by that time, the damage to the heart and cardiovascular system has been done," Chukumerije told BlackDoctor.org. But physicians must be aware of the social and cultural factors affecting their Black patients. "As a healthcare provider, you have to understand what those in certain communities go through when they leave your medical office or clinic," Chukumerije told BlackDoctor.org. Black communities in the U.S. sometimes lack outdoor parks, have limited access to gyms and can exist within "food deserts," with little healthy, affordable food. Chukumerije said doctors need to address a patient's situation before telling them to exercise more and change their diet. To effect lasting change, patients also must be told they can do something to help themselves. Chukumerije said some patients tell him their health condition is hereditary as though it were a foregone conclusion or a situation they cannot change. "I tell my patients, ‘I don’t need you to go out and train for a marathon tomorrow, but I would love for you to take that first step today," Chukumerije told BlackDoctor.org. Click here to read the complete article from BlackDoctor.org. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release BlackDoctor org Combating Heart Disease in the Black Community Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home