By Alicia Powell

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Stephanie Johnson set out to defeat the deadly killer of high blood pressure after her sister and mother died from heart disease within 30 days.

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the No. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 50,000 Black women are killed each year by heart disease.

Nearly 50% of Black women older than 20 are suffering from heart disease. But most of them don’t know about the dangers.

    Johnson created Release the Pressure (RTP), a nonprofit group, to raise awareness among Black women.

    “African Americans, Black Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites,” said Johnson, AHA’S vice president of communications and product strategies.

    “High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease because the heart is working harder,” explained Dr. Peggy Roberts, founder and chief executive of Trust Women’s Healthcare.

    Stroke, heart attack, aneurysm and heart arrhythmia are major risks. Blood pressure can be raised by racism stress.

    Nutritionist Coach Gessie Thompson, founder of TheDetoxNow.com, nearly died in 2020 after her blood pressure spiked from stress. Her digital heart health kit is helping RTL reach its goal of sending 100,000 validated blood pressure cuffs free to Black women by 2027.

The accuracy of home testing is better than that in the doctor’s offices, where nerves or other factors could skew results.

Nichola Hamilton (38), despite years of migraines and numerous miscarriages only discovered she had high blood pressure after her first appointment with Dr. Roberts. A reading of 160 was more than 100. Pressures below 120 are normal. However, pressures above 130/80 require focused treatment.

    “It’s really important that we have the information as a community to be able to advocate for ourselves,” said Dr. Aletha Maybank, chief health equity officer and senior vice president of the American Medical Association.