Heart Health in Focus: Dr. Carl Horton on Managing Risks in the Black Community

Photo credit: Texas Health Heart disease remains a significant health concern, particularly among Black Americans, who face higher rates of high blood pressure and other risk factors. In this Q&A, with Carl Horton, M.D., F.A.C.C., we delve into the key risk factors for heart disease affecting the Black community and discuss strategies for managing these risks effectively. As a cardiologist, Dr. Horton also explores the importance of recognizing and responding to cardiac arrest, addressing disparities in CPR administration, and promoting recovery and support for individuals who have experienced cardiac events.  Statistics have shown that the frequency of high blood pressure among Black people in the U.S. is among the highest in the world. What are the key risk factors for heart disease that affect the Black community, and how can individuals manage these risks effectively?  That’s a good question. Hypertension is a big risk factor for congestive heart failure in our community. So, a lot of the congestive heart failure in our community is due to hypertension that’s been uncontrolled and high blood pressure. African Americans tend to be more relevant and more severe and usually have more end-organ damage, and particularly, it’s a big cause for kidney disease or...