New Survey Shows African-Americans Are Concerned With Heart Health but Unaware of Link to Br...(ases are linked to Alzheimer's including...),Health

-- Heart disease linked to Alzheimer's (6 percent aware)

-- High blood pressure linked to Alzheimer's (8 percent aware)

-- Diabetes linked to Alzheimer's (6 percent aware)

-- High cholesterol linked to Alzheimer's (5 percent aware)

- Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of African-Americans report doing things in their lives specifically for heart health. This includes:

-- Eating heart healthy foods (46 percent)

-- Exercising (44 percent)

-- Managing their weight (40 percent)

- Fewer, though still half (50 percent) of African-Americans, report doing things in their lives specifically for brain health, especially:

-- Staying mentally active by doing puzzles (43 percent)

-- Staying socially active (36 percent)

-- Eating "brain healthy" foods (35 percent)

Steps You Can Take To Control Your Risks

Watch your numbers

-- Blood pressure -- desirable blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg

-- Blood sugar -- desirable fasting blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dL

-- Body weight -- keep your body weight in the recommended range

-- Cholesterol -- desirable total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL

Make healthy lifestyle choices:

-- Stay mentally active.

-- Remain socially involved.

-- Stay physically active.

-- Reduce your intake of fat and cholesterol.

-- Don't smoke.

Visit http://www.alz.org/heartbrain or call the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association at 888-478-7653 or the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900 and you'll receive a free brochure with heart and brain health information and a pedometer, while supplies last.

Editor's Note:

The American Stroke Association's Power To End Stroke cause campaign speaks to African-Americans about their increase
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