Posted by: Shark-Fu

I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss a health issue impacting women and black women specifically.

A couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My blood pressure was so high when the nurse took it that my doctor didn’t believe him and took another reading.

Yep…no doubt about…I’ve got high blood pressure.

Shit!

There are a lot of contributing factors…stress, poor dietary habits (wince) and no enough exercise to name a few. But high blood pressure also runs in my family.

Once I received my diagnosis and scheduled an appointment for a second opinion, I began to fuss about this new health status with some of my friends. And through those conversations a picture of black women and high blood pressure emerged that is at once alarming and empowering.

High blood pressure is more common and more serious for black women. All women…hell, every body…should get their blood pressure checked and begin a dialogue with their doctor about the warning signs, prevention and treatment.

Our health is important. We don’t own that enough, but it is.

So, let’s all commit to educated ourselves, our friends and family about high blood pressure so that we can thrive and make our own history.

And yes, I’m making the changes I need to make too.

Be well.

Shark-Fu practices the fine art of bitchitude at AngryBlackBitch.com.