Link Between Racial Discrimination and Cardiovascular Health

By Dominique Ameroso

A new study finds that experiencing the trauma of racial discrimination at a young age is tied to heart troubles later in life. Racial discrimination isn’t just harmful as it happens its effects can linger for years. 

Perceptions of racial bias have been linked to poorer circulatory health among Blacks compared with Whites.

Tufts researchers recently found that people exposed to racial discrimination during early childhood were more likely to develop cardiovascular health issues compared to those who never experience discrimination, or who experienced discrimination later in life.

Being the victim of racial discrimination is a traumatic experience that can cause lasting psychological effects. A 2015 study found that those who self-reported experiencing racism had poorer mental and physical health compared to others.

Researchers think this is partially due to overactive stress responses. In response to a stressor or threating event, your brain primes your body for a “fight-or-flight” response by releasing stress hormones that increase your heart rate and cause other metabolic changes.

Exposure to severe or chronic stress is linked to disorders such as depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and overall increases in tissue inflammation and damage. Trauma from discrimination can also lead victims to unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or alcohol consumption.

Adolfo Cuevas, an assistant professor of community health and director of the psychological Detriments of Health Lab at Tufts, and Thao Ho, A20, wanted to find out if the developmental timing of an individual’s initial exposure to racial discrimination is an important determinant of the future health, and specifically cardiovascular health.

At a very young age, children can distinguish different racial groups and recognize when they are being treated unfairly because of their race. This experience of racial discrimination during childhood has been linked to increased juvenile delinquency and stress-related disorders.

To determine if timing of initial exposure to discrimination affects adult health, Cuevas used data collected from the 1995 Detroit Area Study that surveyed 1,000 primarily white and black adults. Participants reported whether they had ever been treated unfairly due to their race, and if so, at what age.

Cuevas divided age groups that experienced discrimination into early childhood (to age seven), childhood (ages eight to twelve), adolescence (ages thirteen to nineteen), and adult (nineteen and up). He and Ho then correlated that with participants who reported they had experienced a negative cardiovascular health event, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, artery hardening, heart attack, or stroke.

The results, published recently in the journal Ethnicity & Health, were striking. Individuals initially exposed to racial discrimination during early childhood had a greater probability of developing cardiovascular health issues in adulthood than those who never experienced discrimination. 

In addition, discrimination during either early childhood or adolescence was also found to be associated with an increase in the overall number of adverse cardiovascular events a person experienced in adulthood.

These results suggest that early childhood and adolescence are critical periods during development that are especially susceptible to discrimination-related trauma.

“We were initially surprised that we only found effects within early childhood and adolescence, but not during childhood,” Cuevas said, “but it makes sense these two periods are quite critical for brain and physical development.”

Indeed, during early childhood the brain is still growing, forming vital connections. Adolescence is an important time for cognitive and higher order brain development, and a time where individuals can begin to understand and interpret traumatic events. 

“During these periods where there’s actually both a change biologically and socially, if they’re interrupted by trauma, it has a cascading effect on our health and adult life,” Cuevas said.

Cuevas hopes this work will inform further research into effective interventions for those who are victims of discrimination and lead medical providers to treat childhood trauma related to racism as a risk factor for adult health.

While the observed association between racial discrimination during childhood on adult cardiovascular health did not differ between white and black participants, a significantly higher portion of black participants self-reported experiencing racial discrimination overall. In fact, of the thirty-nine individuals who reported experiencing racism in early childhood, thirty-four were black.

Cuevas hopes that these findings will reach those able to influence race relations and believes that “if policymakers recognize the health effects of racism across the life course, they can develop effective policy interventions that can improve the health of populations.”

Congratulations Michigan State Representative Brenda Carter and The Passage of House Resolution #123

by Kenny Anderson

On January 23rd, 2020 Brenda Carter democratic State House of Representative stood on the Michigan House floor and witnessed the passing of her House Resolution #123 that encourages US Congressional support to fund programs for minority maternal health. Standing there as the resolution passed Rep Carter stated:

"Yesterday I stood on the House floor in memory of my grandmother. My grandmother passed away at 57 years old. I stood in memory of my mother, who passed away at 59 years old. I remembered my two sisters who did not live to see 30. I wrote the resolution in memory of my son."

"My mother died a painful death, which was preventable. If only she knew, if only there were programs to support her, I would not have been both motherless and fatherless at 30 years old. Thank you, Michigan House of Representatives, for honoring the memory of my parents, my sisters, and my son by passing House Resolution 123."

Representative Carter stated that I inspired her in developing House Resolution #123. My inspiration to Rep Carter was well over a year ago when the both of us attended a veterans health program and I approached her after the event and said I needed her ongoing support in my Black Hearts Matter initiative to reduce racial health disparity especially heart disease.

I shared with Rep Carter that in Pontiac when you hear about the cause of deaths of Black people you know over 45 years of age it’s generally from chronic diseases 'specifically heart disease'. I shared with her that recent data from the American Heart Association showed that 48% of Black women 20 and older have heart disease, while 44% of Black men 20 and older have heart disease. Black women have a 31% death rate from heart disease while Black men have a 34% death rate. I shared with her that a recent study revealed that before age 50 Blacks heart rate failure rate is 20 times higher than that of whites.

I'll never forget sharing this Black heart disease data with Rep Carter, telling her with committed health prevention efforts we can prevent premature Black deaths; then all of sudden she began weeping, a real 'heartfelt weep' stating sorrowfully that preventative health could have saved her mother's life. From this conversation Rep Carter showed me she was on a mission to do everything she could do to reduce racial heath disparities in the state of Michigan and across the country.

Rep Carter knew when she began being an advocate on behalf of improving Black health it had to be a team effort; so she brought me together with Jermaine Branner and recognized our community efforts to improve Black health; she also brought Bill Maxey to the table whose been advocating for veterans health for years along with others.

Rep Carter understood the team approach had no 'big I' but 'We'; she knew if she wanted to move from communicating with citizens to engaging them in team leadership and decision making her focus had to be a non-traditional approach of sharing governing responsibilities with them. 

From closely working with State Representative Brenda Carter the following progressive leadership characteristics are what from my perspective enabled Rep Carter to get her resolution #123 passed:

*A visionary and passionate leader.

*A values-driven leader with integrity.

*A champion of democratic governance and community first participation.

*A communicator effectively connecting with her constituents, constantly providing updates and feedback.

*A team-player who knows her limitations and respects community leaders expertise and leadership.

*A faithful leader who believes in the issues she advocates 'fights' for such as minority health equity.

*A responsible leader whose open for frank constructive criticism and embraces accountability.

*A collaborative leader who recognizes the ability to work with Republicans to get legislation passed.

*A sense of disciplined follow-through to achieve goals

Congratulations State Representative Brenda Carter for your dedicated advocacy to get your House Resolution #123 passed. Yes we know this is a team success but in your forum you are the face of the team; your success is our 'the community's' success and thank you for representing our health equity issue well.

African American Veteran Addressing PTSD and Heart Disease

by Kenny Anderson

African American veterans in Pontiac, MI have a fellow vet that they've always been able to rely on to advocate for them, this advocate is Holbert Bill Maxey CEO of the Pontiac Urban Institute (PUI).

Holbert Bill Maxey

Mr. Maxey has been a veteran advocate for decades, especially fighting for service attention to be placed on Black and other marginalized veterans; those who are poor, unemployed, homeless, and have substance use and mental health issues.

Over the years Mr. Maxey has assisted veterans with getting their VA benefits; he provides meals and clothing for veterans. In the winter months he provides warm - insulated coveralls for homeless veterans.

Recently, Mr. Maxey has taken up the dramatic rise of veteran suicides in general and Black veterans in particular who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that follows exposure to an overwhelming traumatic event. The main features are intrusive thoughts including flashbacks, avoidance of things that recall the trauma, hyper-arousal, sleeplessness, restlessness, and irritability.

According to a recent study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are more likely than typical Americans to die of causes including suicide and accidental injuries.

Mr. Maxey whose a member of Black Hearts Matter 'Heart Disease Reduction Task Force', has learned PTSD is linked to increased risk for chronic health problems like heart disease.

A 2019 study by St. Louis University School of Medicine cites that veterans with PTSD were 41 percent more likely to develop circulatory and heart disease than those without PTSD. Moreover veterans with PTSD have a higher than normal risk of developing hypertension a major risk factor for heart disease.

Through his consistent community education Mr. Maxey has highlighted that not only do African American veterans experience combat related PTSD, their military PTSD is compounded by the stress of racism, living in violent neighborhoods where there is a lot of Black-on-Black violence and murders.

Mr. Maxey advocates that since African American veterans suffer from combat-related and community trauma, their treatment needs are unique, specific, and warrant adequately trained health care providers who are prepared to meet these needs.

Maxey says although mental health services may be provided to African American veterans and their families, they are often not provided in a culturally appropriate manner or adapted to the unique needs of this population.

To address veteran PTSD, heart disease and other related chronic diseases Mr. Maxey is in the process of creating a culturally competent wrap around health services based in the community for veterans at the local American Legion Post called 'Fan Out'.

Marilyn Anderson a Health Warrior in the Struggle Against Diabetes

by Kenny Anderson

I take much pride and respect in highlighting a Black female health warrior Marilyn Anderson who happens to be my little sister. Marilyn is a Registered Dietitian and a seasoned Certified Diabetes Educator who has assisted diabetic Black folks in Detroit for over 30 years in reducing their diabetes complications and deaths from uncontrolled diabetes.

Marilyn Anderson

As a health professional my sister possesses comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, prediabetes, and diabetes management. Over the years Marilyn has taught hundreds of Black folks diabetes self-management skills to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals that reduce risks and optimize health outcomes. Moreover she's taught diabetic cooking classes to hundreds of Black folks.

For years Marilyn has been sounding the alarm that diabetes is an epidemic in African American communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control 4.9 million Blacks aged 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes. African-Americans are 77% more likely to have diagnosed diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. African American women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy face a 52% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Diabetes and Heart Disease

When I founded Black Hearts Matter to reduce heart disease, my sister informed me that heart disease is common in Black people with diabetes; that diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing heart failure because of the abnormal cardiac handling of glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs), and because of the effect of the metabolic derangements of diabetes on the cardiovascular system.

Studies show that high blood sugar either damages the cells of the heart muscles or forces the heart to work harder due to damage to smaller blood vessels throughout the body and in the heart. Data from the National Heart Association shows 65% of people with diabetes will die from some sort of heart disease or stroke. In general, the risk of heart disease death and stroke are more than twice as high in people with diabetes.

Tackling the Pervasiveness of Diabetes

My sister has discussed with me numerous times over the years that Black folks must counter the diabetes epidemic through health self-determination by self-management that includes diet, physical activity (reduce obesity), and stress management. She says when people with type 2 diabetes are under mental stress they generally experience an increase in their blood glucose levels; when their under physical stress, their blood sugar can also increase.

Marilyn emphasizes that diabetes support groups must be established - there are few in our communities; diabetes support groups are important because diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. It can lead to sudden mood changes that may place an emotional strain on relationships and personal life. Family, relatives, and friends may struggle to understand these mood swings, but learning about how diabetes can affect mood and providing support can help promote stronger - healthier relationships.

Marilyn says much-much more diabetes education is needed in Black communities especially educating Black young adults and youth about diabetes prevention, along with much more diabetes advocacy from Black leadership! 

Indeed I'm proud of my sister who is still today out on the diabetes battlefield forefront putting in work as a health warrior to do what she can against the diabetes epidemic gripping Black communities nationwide.

Keeping it Moving a Black Man's Approach to Reducing High Rates of Heart Disease

by Kenny Anderson

In Pontiac, Michigan there's a fitness trainer whose been on a mission to get the Black community to "keep it moving" to reduce the prevalence of heart disease and other chronic diseases. 

This fitness trainer is Jermaine Branner aka "Max Out", Brother Max has been 'all out' in promoting the critical need for physical activity in chronic disease prevention.

Jermanie Branner

Indeed a lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease even for people who have no other risk factors. The lack of physical activity also increases the likelihood of developing other heart disease risk factors including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

As a fitness professional Brother Max understands his key public health role in reducing the high levels of heart disease in African-American communities. That fitness training 'aerobic cardio-vascular exercise' is best in heart disease prevention; it trains the heart to become more efficient and trains the body to better utilize oxygen. 

Cardiovascular exercise lowers blood pressure and reduces total cholesterol, two problems associated with heart disease. It increases insulin sensitivity, helping to prevent diabetes and other metabolic conditions. Obesity is often a precursor to heart disease, and cardiovascular exercise is the best method for weight loss. 

As a fitness trainer Brother Max is known as a 'real motivator', research shows that a lack of motivation is a key factor that influences a lack of physical activity. Brother Max takes a holistic approach to fitness training and motivates those to engage in being 'whole person fit' physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Brother Max has been on a visionary mission to improve the health status in Black communities, he started out by providing a small number of folks fitness training in parks, now he's co-owner of Anytime Fitness where hundreds are getting their fitness on to reduce heart disease.

Michigan State Representative Has Put Her Heart In To Improving Black Health

by Kenny Anderson

In Michigan African-Americans have a real advocate for healthy equity in state government, House Member State Representative Brenda Carter has been a forefront voice in addressing the state's racial health disparities.

Michigan State Representative Brenda Carter

Those African-American leaders who lead in improving Black health are special because they realize the most important thing we possess is our health!

Representative Carter a Democrat has especially pushed hard for policies to improve the health status of Black women and children in reducing high rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality. 

Not only has Rep Carter pushed hard for health equity policies, she works closely with local individuals and groups including veterans who are engaged in community-based preventative health initiatives.

Rep Carter has tirelessly highlighted the unacceptable high levels of chronic diseases among African-Americans particularly heart disease; she’s challenged Blacks to take the lead in health self-improvement by reducing internal health detriments and living healthier lifestyles.

Black Hearts Matter salutes Michigan State Representative Brenda Carter's dedicated efforts to improve African-American health.    

The Heart the Most Critical Electric Organ

by Kenny Anderson

The Creator 'Source of Creative Intelligence' created the foundation of the human body as an 'electrical system'. The nervous system is the body's electrical wiring, a complex collection of nerves. 

When we look at the nervous system, we should conclude that the designer of the human body must have had an intricate knowledge of electronics and must have known how to harness electrical energy to change it into other forms of energy.

The electrical nervous system and the heart

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are opposing forces that affect your heart rate. Both systems are made up of very tiny nerves that travel from the brain or spinal cord to your heart.

The sympathetic nervous system is triggered during stress or a need for increased cardiac output and sends signals to your heart to increase its rate. The para -sympathetic system is active during periods of rest and sends signals to your heart to decrease its rate.

Our Hearts Electricity

The heart is the most powerful source of electromagnetic energy in the human body, producing the largest rhythmic electromagnetic field of any of the body's organs. The heart's electrical field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity generated by the brain.

For our hearts to beat continually the heart muscle has to contract in a uniform way. Contraction starts when an electrical message going out to your individual heart muscle cells. The electrical signal starts in a group of cells at the top of your heart called the sinoatrial (SA) node. The signal then travels down through your heart, triggering first your two atria and then your two ventricles.

The heartbeat happens as follows:

1. The SA node (called the pacemaker of the heart) sends out an electrical impulse.

2. The upper heart chambers (atria) contract.

3. The AV node sends an impulse into the ventricles.

4. The lower heart chambers (ventricles) contract or pump.

5. The SA node sends another signal to the atria to contract, which starts the cycle over again.

Although the heart can operate independently, the heart responds to many factors in your body; there are a number of feedback systems between your heart, your brain, and other organ systems that help maintain a normal heart rate and rhythm.

The field of neurocardiology numerous research has shown that the heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. And the brain responds to the heart in many important ways. This research explains how the heart responds to emotional and mental reactions and why certain emotions stress the body and drain our energy.

As we experience feelings like anger, frustration, anxiety and insecurity, our heart rhythm patterns become more erratic. These erratic patterns are sent to the emotional centers in the brain, which it recognizes as negative or stressful feelings. These signals create the actual feelings we experience in the heart area and the body. The erratic heart rhythms also block our ability to think clearly.

Many neurocardiology studies have found that the risk of developing heart disease is significantly increased for people who often experience stressful emotions such as irritation, anger, frustration, etc. 

These emotions create a chain reaction in the body stress hormone levels increase, blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rises, and the immune system is weakened. If we consistently experience these emotions, it can put a strain on the heart and other organs, eventually leading to serious health problems and death.