This May, as we recognize National High Blood Pressure Education Month, we're highlighting how where you live, work, and play can significantly impact your heart health—sometimes even more than your genetics. Social factors like neighborhood quality, income, and education create substantial disparities in who develops hypertension and heart disease.
This week's featured article explores how improving neighborhood conditions could prevent 1 in 4 cases of uncontrolled blood pressure in disadvantaged communities.
Make it a great week!
Featured Resources 🙌🏾
Mindful Moment 😌
Pause, follow the guide below, and observe 3-5 DEEP breaths. Tune in to the sensations you feel throughout your body as you breathe in and out, releasing any tension or stress.
Mindful Movement 🙆🏾♂️
This week's practice helps release anxiety by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and calming the nervous system. Try it 2-3 times this week and notice how you feel after each time!
Mindful Reflection ✍🏾
In what areas of my life do I feel the most stressed or drained, and what changes can I make to prioritize my energy and mental health?
Share your responses with us on Threads, and be sure to #balanceperiod
Affirmation 🗣️
Say this to yourself silently or out loud:
"Every small step I take today brings me closer to the life I envision."
Upcoming Health/Wellness Events 🗓️
Senior Matters: Grief Support & Resources
Please join Ascension St. Vincent Julie Miller of Pastoral Care to learn more about the types of losses common among older adults, healthy coping related to grief, and local grief support resources.
- Friday, May 16th, 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
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Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent (8424 Naab Road #1l Indianapolis, IN 46260)
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Chair Yoga for Seniors & Individuals with Limited Mobility
Come join us for a relaxing chair yoga session tailored for seniors and those with limited mobility brought to you by Lamira Wellness!
- Wednesday, May 21st, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM EDT
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Ujamaa Community Bookstore (2424 Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Street Indianapolis, IN 46208)
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Social Determinants of Health and Disparities in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases 🫀🩺
High blood pressure affects nearly half of American adults, but it doesn't affect everyone equally. Research shows that social factors—things like neighborhood quality, education level, and income—play a huge role in who develops heart problems.
What's really going on?
- People living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have up to 50% higher rates of hypertension compared to those in more affluent areas
- African Americans have hypertension rates about 10% higher than white Americans
- Having less than a high school education is linked to a 27% higher chance of developing high blood pressure
These differences aren't about personal choices alone. Many communities lack:
- Safe places to exercise
- Grocery stores with affordable healthy foods
- Access to quality healthcare
- Protection from environmental stressors like pollution and noise
A recent study in the journal Hypertension found that improving neighborhood conditions could potentially prevent 1 in 4 cases of uncontrolled blood pressure among people in disadvantaged areas.
What can we do?
Creating heart-healthy communities requires action at all levels—from supporting local farmers' markets to advocating for policies that address housing quality and healthcare access.
Let's use this month to remember: achieving health equity means addressing the social factors that create unequal heart health outcomes in the first place.
Want to learn more? Check out this week's featured article.
Sources: American Heart Association Hypertension Journal (2023), CDC National Center for Health Statistics, American Journal of Preventive Medicine
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