---
title: Smoking Increases Heart Risk Among Black Americans
date: 2022-08-11T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/smoking-increases-heart-risk-among-black-americans"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Smoking Increases Heart Risk Among Black Americans

This article reviews research analyzing the correlation between heart disease and smoking in Black Americans, highlighting that Black Americans who smoke have higher heart risks than their white counterparts.

> We know that some groups of people are more likely to die from CHD \[coronary heart disease\] than others: deaths are higher among African Americans than among people who are white. One underlying factor is longstanding disparities in health problems that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

[Read the full article ](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/smoking-more-than-doubles-heart-risk-among-african-americans-202106282516)

SOURCE: Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School • AUTHOR: Christy N. Taylor, MD, MPH, Hanna Gaggin, MD, MPH • LAST UPDATED: June 28, 2021

![pexels-cottonbro-5645084](data:image/png;base64,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) cottonbro/Pexels

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ race, class & heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/race-class-heart-health)
- [Black / African American](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/black-african-american)
- [heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease)
- [heart disease risk factors](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease-risk-factors)
- [BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/bipoc-black-indigenous-and-people-of-color)
- [health disparities](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/health-disparities)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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How can adults help young people discuss injustice safely and meaningfully? This resource explores trauma-informed responses to racial injustice.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-trauma-informed-response-to-racial-injustice)

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## If I Had Listened to Abortion Protesters, Things Would Be Different

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A'yen talks about the forces that tried to prevent her from getting an abortion and how grateful she is that she was able to make the choice that was best for her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-if-i-had-listened-to-abortion-protesters-things-would-be-different)

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## After Acute Heart Failure, Women Experience Worse Quality of Life

Women who experience acute heart failure report worse quality of life than men, even when other health factors seem similar.

![Camellia faceless older woman in chair in dark unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAD4UlEQVRIiW2WTZLsNgyDP1BODpdVjpD7b1NJXnWbQBaU3e68qFwaz1hDUPwBqN9+/0MgUaVVmn1eVJKEFAh0aOdsn+139+vs1/t8vc/X+zXrfP04Xz/69U9ef+f9F+8/6R8FBABC9hu5/3ivQPI4+/nw+KefVjiSAEFRxsi288Djy3BC5usNeO+fl4QYOJwITLA034SDvtxVQpJrT3K5cB27f/8ciGMOO5MDKooUyRIyKoSE2HAhTvw0km+jJJg4SRyfmMM2UIJIiSIhAESkEhJg5OAkiZ3/WXODjA+2G5PmONsShlXwME2IVBkAGQwxHhtx/G09GQ+cdGyfaTg52g2U9Eiv9i4l0i5TGRxs7Ni+Efx4Omn7tNvvnHBynL1DtASGmkcUKcmfVriihLe9WXnCdHImb7f77ZPAcZ6NqPG7NkaKFKs0C2ny3A+My7gfN3DH7/h05wQDHGc/ABzqc4+IuptZFfS4BL5BHMe3+6cdn/RuoDvJiUCRg6BASSlCVUhIpox+usT8vOPj2PTJeQHsJAPKjsQFkyITohKqUNZcQhfAnW1PfNomjd83cew+mAi1ZrcURJTsEBWlqEw11ajZ5ZTLfcdtJ8am3zfHHIn16XKbCFvZ7FBcABWVtYwnVttt3/UUD/+k7wQAhyb4BEw+tT4EiDdAqqKK0iorjsyVhjsTMTHuJ7EeS2Eyuts3TD/iEAuEVHGllhVrtTLllPBVpQOQngLdAIcApOjOa6JNWR7uiJJKEmu5MLEm1VOifcNsgOcNflk7x0qGEJTNFZA4GyBJYeFgxUOMfN2A/ZzwBaCLzjWSAMIaUdkylgR2AQwT7nrd7Eqa2/1niuH4ddXoz2a3DzEI65Iu7YDjgMGpfcfLutKig/8L8MsxRZR4wp8owZsYLG4h/MiLowRdYmNixTWFxM7cdYOjtsReMXTHLF9i2DaXtCeDXSFBo4tKKz0A23193aC2FNWX9WaN7wI5+1+2BpvoVrDtPl10YQ+VPZK8xrNYFvO0PnofZDxqizbIHjkSXQCKF16MvDz74HMD27hpAmuGkyFvgWxqjyzXHLETrxi64ooLl5j2nFPHsS6AYH0qIElYFSqp0EzvflIOu6CgFYsuvLCFRxZ7AKq4JFsP47VWhVq5KJxpwvvINQpZ2aEtvGSLFOe6ANbacq/Ubb5WKqmKUpp9JhrpMUAOVxmieAim8AKLVfSC5qgqkkSOZ2CpVDmbnl3TdiOcfIJ7zSCT593jFpn5YRQ+4ShpSk6WVBo/9zxRkmfb1jfCo8SuOefxIChtzJLYs9WW971zv9zf+cx8P60biX1UjNT+C/vRQ4eDDYQCAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)

Women who experience acute heart failure report worse quality of life than men, even when other health factors seem similar.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/after-acute-heart-failure-women-experience-worse-quality-of-life)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Personal Stories of Living with Heart Failure

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.

![Image (3)](data:image/png;base64,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)

Hear from patients living with heart failure on how it impacts their lives, how they cope with their diagnoses, and how they find hope despite their condition.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/personal-stories-of-living-with-heart-failure)

[ResourcesRead

## Potential Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

What are the possible risk factors for breast cancer? Are there ways to minimize our risk of developing breast cancer?

![View in microscopic of ductal cell carcinoma, adenonocarcinoma from human breast cancer, tissue section by H and E stain. Pathology diagnosis. Medical concept. Under microscope, magnification 600X](data:image/png;base64,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)

What are the possible risk factors for breast cancer? Are there ways to minimize our risk of developing breast cancer?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/potential-breast-cancer-risk-factors)