TAMPA, Fla. — Friday is National Wear Red Day, a day when people wear red to show their support for the awareness of heart disease.
There are several groups raising awareness about the issue, but in one community, they're trying to push the conversation even more — especially with the staggering statistics based on race.
Lynda Murray Blair joins a long list of people who suffer from heart disease.
"What was recommended was that I get the open heart surgery," said Blair. "And we were in Emory Hospital in Atlanta and that was to clear it out and I had to understand what are the mechanics of bypass surgery, how that works, etc."
She started doing research and looking back on the signs she missed.
"Sometimes going up stairs it would be a little difficult for me, but I was just kind of one of those ... my personality had been, I was a trooper," she said. "I would just discount things and say, 'Oh it's not a big deal. I have a headache but…'"
Unfortunately, it turned out to be much more. She counts herself lucky even with the complications that came with the open-heart surgery.
"As it turned out, I actually had a situation where there was a clot occurred in the process, and it caused a stroke for me and that was not anticipated at all. But anyway, I think I still turned out OK," she said.
According to the Cleveland clinic, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. When it comes to disparities, Black men have a 70 percent higher risk of heart failure compared to white men. Black women have a 50 percent higher risk than white women. The numbers were higher for Hispanic adults and, depending on their ethnicity, for Asian, they are less likely than any other groups to have heart disease.
Orlando Health Chief of Cardiology, Dr. Alexander Johnson, explained those disparities more.
"There's a huge disparity because we don't seek medical attention," Johnson said. "We don’t try to catch these things early and a lot of these things may not be necessarily preventable but definitely modified, so it doesn’t get as bad as we are seeing in the hospital setting."
Johnson said he tells his patients to move their body more, but he said a lot of it comes down to cultural norms and creating healthier lifestyles. Especially when he's focusing on his black female patients.
"What we're trying to highlight and what we’re trying to help out and elucidate is hey look mama, please take care of you," he said. "In our population we tend to see a lot more of diabetes, high blood pressure, very high-risk factors for heart disease."
That’s the kind of warning Murray Blair said she's now focused on giving every chance she gets.
"If I had a voice to give them, I'd say listen to your heart, literally," she said.
There are several wear red events happening Friday. Including one hosted by the Tampa Alumnae chapter of Delta sigma Theta sorority incorporated. The event runs from 6 p.m-9 p.m. and it’s being held at the University Area Community Complex located at 14013 N 22nd St. Tampa.