[Chetry:] Welcome back to the AMERICAN MORNING. There's some shocking details about how much more at risk you are for developing heart failure depending on your race. A new study finds that black adults developed heart failure at a rate 20 times higher than white adults. Our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen joins us now from the CNN Center in Atlanta. We've always known that there has been a disparity but to see 20 times, really is shocking.
[Elizabeth Cohen, Cnn Senior Medical Correspondent:] It really is shocking. I think even for people who followed this, this really shows the huge differences in heart disease rates for a black people versus white people. We'll get to the reasons later, but first, let's look at another statistic that is truly shocking. Take a look at this. With this study in the "New England Journal of Medicine" found is that the heart failure rate for your average 35-year-old black person is the same as the heart failure rate for your average 55-year-old white person. In other words, heart failure tends to be happening about 20 years earlier for African-Americans than for white Americans. And Kiran, I want to add, this is really a pretty note worthy study. They followed black and white people for 25 years. Rarely do you see that kind of longevity in a study. Kiran.
[Chetry:] And they went on to note, some of the other key effects. One of the three black women in their late teens or their 20s already has high blood pressure. Why are there so many more young African- Americans high blood pressure?
[Cohen:] Wait, high blood pressure is really a key to these high heart failure rates later on in life. It's not exactly clear why so many young African-Americans have high blood pressure. There are probably lots of different reasons. But one of the reasons might be according to one of the study authors we talked to is that when young people show up at the doctors with high blood pressure, doctors might be less likely to treat them. So a 55-year-old shows up with high blood pressure. They might be more likely to take it seriously and treat them. When a 25-year- old shows up, they might say oh, we'll give it some and we'll see what happens. So one of the things that this study really shows is that high blood pressure needs to be taken very seriously, no matter what age you are.
[Chetry:] Right and he had a really, you know, maybe make sure that talked to your doctors, or get checked out or just to double check especially if you're in a high risk group...
[Cohen:] That's right.
[Chetry:] Because there's medicine that can help and some lifestyle changes.
[Cohen:] That's right. Lifestyle changes too, that's right.
[Chetry:] All right. Elizabeth Cohen for us this morning. Thanks.
[Cohen:] Thanks.
[Chetry:] It's 48 minutes after the hour.
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