Source: TV One
When it comes to Black men’s health, hip-hop legend and health advocate Doug E. Fresh gets to the heart of the matter with cardiologist Dr. Dave Montgomery. They sit down to discuss heart health and the health inequities impacting Black men. They break down eye-opening statistics, discuss pain bias and share practical steps to maintain a healthy heart.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death among African American men, impacting us at a higher rate than any other demographic,” Fresh says. But it doesn’t have to be this way. “Eighty-five percent of heart disease deaths are preventable,” says Dr. Montgomery. “That means we’re missing something. We’re missing the signals like pain.”
How Pain Bias Impacts Black Men’s Health
Heart disease is often overlooked among Black men due to pain bias. “When African American men show up in a healthcare environment, you are judged differently,” Dr. Montgomery explains. If the patient’s pain is minimized and neglected by the physician, they will be undertreated. “And when you’re undertreated, you just don’t go back,” the doctor says.
In a recent study by the Advil Pain Equity Project and the Morehouse School of Medicine, 74 percent of African Americans said they felt bias in pain diagnosis and treatment, with 53 percent avoiding return visits after a negative experience. The repercussions of this are “massive,” Dr. Montgomery says. “If a Black man thinks that he can’t go to his doctor, he’s going to go to the emergency room. Well now, let’s start talking about how expensive going to the emergency is.”
The Advil Pain Equity Project works to shed light on pain bias and provide resources and guidance because taking control of your health is powerful. “If we can get our men to say that pain deserves attention, heart disease events that kill men go down,” says Dr. Montgomery.
How To Protect Your Heart Health
The doctor shares practical steps to protect cardiovascular health: exercising, eating a balanced diet, sleeping well and practicing “some kind of mindfulness” like prayer or meditation. Adhering to these lifestyle changes helps combat the “big three” causes of heart disease — high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and high blood sugar.
If you or someone you care about is facing heart health issues or pain bias, visit BelieveMyPain.com. Find helpful resources like how to navigate care, tips on describing and documenting your pain, and a guide for caregivers.
SEE ALSO:
Black Health 365: Black Men And The Power Of Vulnerability
Chicago-Based Nonprofit The Healing Cultivates Safe Spaces For Black Men To Practice Wellness
