Reducing Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in African American Women

Abstract

In the United States, African American women are at significant risk for cardiovascular disease, influenced by factors such as obesity, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, and low socioeconomic status. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project aimed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged, overweight African American women through education on diet, exercise, and weight loss. This quasi-experimental, pretest and posttest study took place at an urban primary care clinic. Education was provided to 39 patients regarding diet, exercise, and weight loss to decrease their risk for cardiovascular disease. Additional education was provided based on the patient’s individual risk assessment score which was determined using the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk assessment tool, and the presence of additional modifiable risk factors. The anticipated outcome was a decrease in cardiovascular risk as a result of improved diet, physical activity, and weight loss within the intervention period. There was an improvement in cholesterol and self-reported diet as a result of the three-month educational intervention completed by 22 participants. Interventions aimed at decreasing risk for cardiovascular disease in African American women not only impact health care costs and prevent deaths but also improve the overall health and quality of life for this population.