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Heart disease is the number-one killer in women. That’s why this February, during American Heart Month, WTAE is spreading awareness.The American Heart Association says Black women are less likely than white women to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death — but a local group is working to change that.At the Propel Wellness Center, members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority’s Delta Phi Sigma alumni chapter in Pittsburgh are working to educate women about heart health.”We are a historically Black organization, and that’s something that has been withheld, you know, historically from African Americans and minorities,” said Arriba Walker, a member of the Delta Phi Sigma chapter. Walker helped plan this wellness event called E3: Educate, Exercise, and Eat for Heart Health.”Our goal is to just have people stop, pause, listen to your body,” Walker said. “We’re talking about, go to the doctor. You’re paying for it with your insurance, go to the doctor. And we talk about when you go to the doctor, ask questions. Don’t just go there and sit — ask questions, get the information that you need.”That’s exactly why Natori Richardson decided to attend.”A lot of people from our community don’t know that the resources are even out there to even look or even who to ask,” she said. “So just to have this type of environment, to make people feel comfortable, is always a way for our community.”Brandi Lee, a wellness expert, talked about the resources available. “It’s important to not only think about walking and your physical well-being, but also your environment and the other dimensions of wellness,” she said.Lee says African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white people. That’s why an educational event like this is crucial. “It’s important for us to focus on the African American community as a whole because we want us to be here,” Lee said.She says heart disease is preventable, and one thing you can do to lower your risk is to move. “I think the biggest thing I learned was making sure that you play or let out all of your energy,” said Amber Hamilton, a member of the Delta Phi Sigma chapter. “A lot of times, we go home stressed, and that can impact our heart health. Doing something active, whether it’s making noise, dancing or singing, that could be something that could help with heart health.”The group also got outside and went for a group walk. “When you do things together, and as a community, it’s so much easier to accomplish your goals,” Lee said.When they got back, there were healthy recipes from the American Heart Association to try, like a black bean dip, a yogurt dessert and an almond trail mix.”I’ve never tried to make them before, but now I’m taking those recipes down and going to make them,” Hamilton said. Everyone walked out of the E3 event with a fourth “E”: feeling empowered.”I feel very empowered,” Walker said.Richardson agreed. “I came in here really sluggish. This is the morning time. But now I’m like, ‘I’m ready to do something!'” And that drive to want to do something is what this event was about. The Delta Phi Sigma alumni chapter says they hope the ladies share what they learned with their families and community. They put on a wellness event every year.
Heart disease is the number-one killer in women. That’s why this February, during American Heart Month, WTAE is spreading awareness.
The American Heart Association says Black women are less likely than white women to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death — but a local group is working to change that.
At the Propel Wellness Center, members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority’s Delta Phi Sigma alumni chapter in Pittsburgh are working to educate women about heart health.
“We are a historically Black organization, and that’s something that has been withheld, you know, historically from African Americans and minorities,” said Arriba Walker, a member of the Delta Phi Sigma chapter. Walker helped plan this wellness event called E3: Educate, Exercise, and Eat for Heart Health.
“Our goal is to just have people stop, pause, listen to your body,” Walker said. “We’re talking about, go to the doctor. You’re paying for it with your insurance, go to the doctor. And we talk about when you go to the doctor, ask questions. Don’t just go there and sit — ask questions, get the information that you need.”
That’s exactly why Natori Richardson decided to attend.
“A lot of people from our community don’t know that the resources are even out there to even look or even who to ask,” she said. “So just to have this type of environment, to make people feel comfortable, is always a way for our community.”
Brandi Lee, a wellness expert, talked about the resources available. “It’s important to not only think about walking and your physical well-being, but also your environment and the other dimensions of wellness,” she said.
Lee says African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white people. That’s why an educational event like this is crucial. “It’s important for us to focus on the African American community as a whole because we want us to be here,” Lee said.
She says heart disease is preventable, and one thing you can do to lower your risk is to move.
“I think the biggest thing I learned was making sure that you play or let out all of your energy,” said Amber Hamilton, a member of the Delta Phi Sigma chapter. “A lot of times, we go home stressed, and that can impact our heart health. Doing something active, whether it’s making noise, dancing or singing, that could be something that could help with heart health.”
The group also got outside and went for a group walk. “When you do things together, and as a community, it’s so much easier to accomplish your goals,” Lee said.
When they got back, there were healthy recipes from the American Heart Association to try, like a black bean dip, a yogurt dessert and an almond trail mix.
“I’ve never tried to make them before, but now I’m taking those recipes down and going to make them,” Hamilton said.
Everyone walked out of the E3 event with a fourth “E”: feeling empowered.
“I feel very empowered,” Walker said.
Richardson agreed. “I came in here really sluggish. This is the morning time. But now I’m like, ‘I’m ready to do something!'”
And that drive to want to do something is what this event was about. The Delta Phi Sigma alumni chapter says they hope the ladies share what they learned with their families and community.
They put on a wellness event every year.
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