In a timely discussion at the tail end of Heart Health Month, three prominent Black American physicians came together to discuss the state of heart health in the Black community and beyond. Randall Morgan Jr., MD, MBA, president and CEO of the W. Montague Cobb Health Institute, moderated a conversation with Elizabeth Ofili, MD, of Morehouse School of Medicine, and Quinn Capers IV, MD, of Howard University College of Medicine.
The sobering reality is that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with risk factors like high blood pressure growing at an alarming rate. As Dr. Morgan noted, “cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, claim more lives in United States than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths combined,” establishing it as a public health issue.
Global Impact on U.S. Heart Disease Treatment
Dr. Ofili explained that heart disease is the number one killer globally, not just in the U.S. She emphasized that while there may be some genetic predispositions, “the vast majority of the risk for heart disease are preventable.” These include factors and health conditions like high blood pressure, smoking, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and lack of physical activity.
Importantly, Dr. Ofili highlighted the work of organizations like the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) in addressing these issues: “We remain very much dedicated and committed to advancing [overall] health and cardiovascular prevention across all groups with strong focus on underrepresented individuals, especially Blacks.”
Advancements in Heart Disease Treatment
Dr. Capers painted an optimistic picture of current treatment options, stating, “It’s a good time to be a cardiologist. It’s a good time to be caring for people who suffer from heart disease.” He highlighted new medications for congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease that are improving outcomes and prolonging lives in high-risk individuals.
However, Dr. Capers also pointed out a critical issue: “The problem…is having that wonderful technology applied in an equitable manner. And we still are not there, and we still have health care disparities right along racial lines.”
The Role of Diet and Inflammation
Both doctors emphasized the importance of diet to reduce your risk and addressing inflammation in heart health. Dr. Ofili discussed the fascinating emerging research on gut microbiome and its impact on cardiovascular health: “When you look at chronic diseases, what connects all of them happens to be inflammation. And the fact that these gut bacteria can either promote inflammation or reduce inflammation is absolutely fascinating.”
Dr. Capers added, “Inflammation is certainly…the root of all evil. I mean, all of these things that attack the blood vessels and make the blood vessels less healthy, are in some way mediated by inflammation.”
Weight Loss Medications and Heart Health
Addressing the current popularity of weight loss medications, Dr. Capers urged caution and consultation with physicians: “Please consult your doctor. There have always been a lot of people around who are so-called experts. Everybody’s got a cousin that says, I know how you can treat this…Take that information, please, to your doctor that you trust.”
Dr. Ofili echoed this sentiment, adding: “Don’t just go get on a drug on your own because some of these drugs do have side effects. They’re well tolerated overall, but they still [can have] side effects like pancreatitis. Even though it’s rare, it can happen.”
The Importance of Black Cardiologists
The discussion highlighted the critical need for more Black cardiologists. As Dr. Capers pointed out, “less than 3 percent of cardiologists are Black or African American.” He emphasized the importance of the Association of Black Cardiologists in inspiring future generations: “Black physicians, Black students, Black pre-med students, who wanna be cardiologists really can look to ABC as a beacon, look to a group of people and think to themselves, these people look just like the people I grew up with…They can do it. That means I can do it too.”
Dr. Morgan underscored this point, stating, “We need more cardiologists. We need more than 3 percent because this is the biggest killer that we have.”
Encouragement for the Future
Despite the challenges, both Dr. Capers and Dr. Ofili offered words of encouragement for aspiring Black medical professionals. Dr. Capers stated, “These can be difficult times, but what I’d like to say to the audience is we…triumph in difficult times. The way we do it though is by working together and keeping our eyes on excellence and supporting each other.”
Dr. Ofili added, “We’re looking at many, many bright young people who have interest in medicine, who have interest in science, and we have to continue to encourage young people to find allies and partner.”
This insightful discussion shed light on the current state of heart health in the Black community, highlighting both the challenges and the progress being made. It emphasized the critical need for more Black cardiologists and the importance of community support and encouragement for aspiring medical professionals. As heart disease continues to be a leading health concern, conversations like these are vital in addressing disparities and improving outcomes for all communities.