Religious practices associated with improved heart health care among black adults

Black adults, who attend church frequently and are deeply spiritual, take important steps to maintain cardiovascular health, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining blood pressure within normal limits. A new study finds that it likely meets the criteria.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, examines black adults’ religious practices and spirituality, as well as their adherence to a course of behavior and other studies that the American Heart Association considers important in achieving optimal well-being. It is the first study to investigate the association with the factors of cardiovascular health.

“Health professionals and researchers need to recognize the importance of religious and spiritual influences in the lives of African Americans. African Americans tend to be highly religious. Minnesota Clinic in Rochester, MN.

“Incorporating religious and spiritual beliefs into our approach fosters relationships between patients and physicians and between community members and scientists, building trust and sociocultural understanding in this population. It could be a big breakthrough in ,” Brewer said.

Researchers analyzed health and religious data collected through interviews, physical examinations, and surveys of 2,967 participants in the Jackson Heart Study who were identified as African American. Sixty-six percent of her participants were female, with an average age of 54 years for her. The Jackson Heart Study is the largest community-based study of cardiovascular disease in black adults in the United States. Continuing since 1998, her more than 5,000 adults in the Jackson, Mississippi area have participated.

Those who reported more religious activity or reported having a deeper level of spiritual belief were more likely to meet criteria for good cardiovascular health. Those who frequently participate in exercise or activity are 16% more likely to meet intermediate or ideal physical activity indicators, 10% more likely to eat a heart-healthy diet, 50% more likely to quit smoking, and 50% more likely to quit smoking. is 12% higher. Maintains better blood pressure than those who attend church less frequently. They were 15% more likely to achieve intermediate or ideal composite cardiovascular health scores.

Those who reported more frequent personal prayers were 12% more likely to achieve intermediate or ideal dietary metrics and 24% more likely to quit smoking.

Religious coping was 18% more likely to achieve moderate or ideal levels of physical activity, 10% more likely to eat a heart-healthy diet, 32% more likely to quit smoking, and intermediate or ideal composite It was associated with a 14% higher chance of having a body. cardiovascular score.

Overall mentality was associated with being 11% more likely to achieve moderate or ideal levels of physical activity and 36% more likely to quit smoking.

Religiousness and spirituality measurements were taken at one point in time, so it’s unclear how they affected cardiovascular health over time.

“I was inspired by the finding that multiple dimensions of religiousness and spirituality are associated with improved cardiovascular health in multiple health behaviors that are very difficult to change, such as diet, physical activity, and smoking. I was a little surprised.

She said the findings highlight the importance of culturally aligned health practices in promoting health equity.

“Cultural relevance of interventions increases their likelihood of affecting cardiovascular health and may also influence the sustainability and maintenance of healthy lifestyle changes.”Religiousness and Spirituality Religion may serve as a buffer against stress, have a therapeutic purpose, or support self-development to practice healthy behaviors and seek preventive health services.”