As a Black American provider who has cared for Orlando seniors for over 15 years, my journey started with my grandmother who never went to a clinic for regular checkups. I learned firsthand what can happen if you don’t take care of your health. This shaped my care in educating seniors to take part in their health care.
February is American Heart Month, and it’s a good reminder for us to take care of our hearts. High blood pressure is one of the biggest causes of heart disease, which is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. It’s important to think about how to keep our hearts healthy before problems start. In Florida, Black seniors die more from heart disease than other groups, according to the NIH’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. High blood pressure is also more common in Black Americans here.
Like my grandmother, some Black Americans have faced longstanding inequities in health care, which have contributed to lower trust in the system and, at times, delays in seeking important checkups. I see this reflected among seniors working to manage conditions like high blood pressure while also navigating fixed incomes, transportation barriers, and other daily challenges. At CenterWell, our care teams connect seniors with community resources to help ease these burdens. By focusing on meaningful, consistent steps, we not only enable better heart health over time but also build trust with every interaction.
Seeing the same provider over time and being active in your health care helps build trust and a strong relationship. The more your provider knows you, the better they can help. It’s important to visit your provider several times a year. This helps catch problems like high blood pressure or diabetes before they become serious.
Recent findings support this, showing that Humana Medicare Advantage patients in value-based care models are more likely to see their provider regularly and better manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure. In care models like ours at CenterWell, providers spend more time with patients to listen and partner with them to achieve their health goals. This is an important step toward understanding each other, addressing long-standing gaps in care, and improving outcomes in Black communities.
A family member or friend can listen, take notes and help ask questions. Having someone you trust with you can make visits feel less scary. And it’s OK to ask, “Can you explain that again?” or “What does that mean?” Ask for easy-to-read handouts or explanations.
You don’t need to run to help your heart. Walking with a friend, dancing at home, or even gardening can help improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Pick things you like and try to do them regularly. Remember to stay cool and drink lots of water, especially on hot days in Orlando.
Try to eat foods that are good for your heart. This means lots of fruits, vegetables, whole wheat (instead of white), lean meat, fiber and healthy fats. Healthy fats are things like salmon, almonds and avocados. Try to eat less junk food, red meat, pork, frozen foods and sugar. Small changes, like choosing baked over fried foods, can also help.
If your provider gives you medicine, it’s important to take it as prescribed. This helps keep you healthy and stops serious heart problems. If medicine is hard to get or causes problems, talk to your provider. You can ask about choices and partner with your provider to decide what’s best for you. Your voice matters in your care.
Remember, talking about heart health should happen before something goes wrong. I want to help Orlando seniors take care of their hearts every day. If you have questions about your health, always talk to your provider.
Jereè Paul is a Cardiology APRN with CenterWell Senior Primary Care in Orlando.