Research has shown that black people are 20 times more likely than other ethnic groups to develop heart failure before the age of 50, and they are more likely to be hospitalized or die from heart failure than white Americans. Earlier this month, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC partnered with Shaquille O’Neal to help shift those dangerously high numbers.
The recently launched Shaquille Gets Real About Heart Failure campaign, a national educational initiative was designed to raise awareness around the heart failure disparity in the African American community and ways to manage this condition.
Although he’s never had heart challenges himself, Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq), recognized around the world as a Basketball Hall of Famer, is using his powerful platform to help spread the word that every African American needs to take this disease seriously.
“Heart failure is what happens when the intricate parts of the heart don’t work together to pump blood through the body,” says Dr. Ofilli, a fellow campaign ambassador and Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at Morehouse School of Medicine. “Over time, the heart can no longer keep up with what the body needs.”
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“Even though I don’t suffer from heart failure, when I found out about this disparity, I knew I had to get involved and help educate my community about the burden of heart failure for African Americans,” said Shaquille O’Neal, Basketball Hall of Famer, former professional basketball player and sports analyst. “I’ve learned that there are not only specific risk factors in African Americans but also treatment options that offer them specific benefits. I’m partnering with Arbor to motivate African Americans living with heart failure to talk to their doctor and ensure they’re doing everything they can to take care of their health.”
According to www.ShaqGetsReal.com, the campaign’s website was created to provide answers to African American heart failure patients and healthcare providers, an educational video series featuring Shaquille O’Neal and details about the Shaq BiDil Access Program.
The Shaq BiDil Access Program brings together a set of savings options that ensures reasonable access to the treatment, BiDil® (isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine hydrochloride), the first heart failure medication indicated for self-identified African American patients with heart failure.9 BiDil® is a vasodilator that boosts the supply of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes vasodilation, which widens and relaxes blood vessels in the body.
Due to socio-economic factors and cultural differences, disease disparities between people of different ethnicities continues to gather interest and support from the medical community. For example, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recently published guidelines on cardiovascular risk factors, encouraging healthcare providers to consider ethnicity when determining risks and treatment options.8
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“In the A-HeFT trial, adding BiDil® to current therapies made a significant difference in the lives of African Americans with heart failure7,” said Dr. Ofili, per a press release. “I am proud to work with Shaquille O’Neal and Arbor Pharmaceuticals to encourage healthcare providers to consider the benefits of BiDil® when evaluating treatment plans for their African American patients with heart failure.”
For more information about Shaquille Gets Real About Heart Failure, visit www.ShaqGetsReal.com.
Jasmine Browley holds an MA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and has contributed to Ebony, Jet and MADE Magazine among others. So, clearly, she knows some stuff. Follow her digital journey @JasmineBrowley.
