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Public Health Promotion

Your heart beats for generations

Your heart beats for generations. Take care of it by getting routine care from medical providers you trust, taking steps to prevent heart disease and knowing the signs and symptoms of heart health problems.

Black/African American and Indigenous women in Hennepin County disproportionately face poor heart health, which is why Hennepin County launched its women’s heart health initiative.

These steps could save your life, allowing you to be there for your family, your friends and your community.

 women in red shirt standing 

Care: Build your care team and prevent heart health issues

Find a provider you trust

Some women never have symptoms before having a heart attack or stroke. That’s why routine checkups are so helpful because they can help identify problems early on, when they’re treatable. Finding care from someone you know and trust is important. Ask your family or friends for recommendations.

Not sure where to start? Reach out to one of these community resources:

Take small steps to improve your health

While many elements contribute to heart health, including family history, racism and community factors – our actions have power, for ourselves and generations to come. You can potentially reduce your risk for heart disease by learning more about your risk factors and focusing on nutrition, physical activity and avoiding/limiting commercial tobacco and alcohol use.

Read online self-care resources:

Prepare: Know the signs and symptoms of heart health issues

The more we talk about women’s heart health, the more we help care for ourselves and others. Women experience higher missed or delayed diagnoses of poor heart health and tend to be less aware that they're at risk for potentially life-threatening heart problems. They also may be less aware of the signs and symptoms of heart attacks than men because of differences in those symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of heart health issue

If you are experiencing a health emergency, call 911.

Women experience higher missed or delayed diagnoses of poor heart health. Women tend to be less aware that they're at risk for potentially life-threatening heart problems. They also may be less aware of the signs and symptoms of heart attacks than men because of differences in those symptoms, which include:

  • Squeezing or pressure in the chest
  • Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort (without chest pain)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting, or severe indigestion
  • Sweating 

Warning signs and symptoms for women – American Heart Association

Heal: Join a community of women

Women's Heart Health support group (for African American/Black women)

Join the Women’s Heart Health support group online at noon the third Tuesday each month to learn from University of Minnesota M Health Fairview providers and to build community, presented by Hennepin County. Register online to join the Women's Heart Health support group.

Healthy Hearts Social Group (for African American, Black and Indigenous women)

NorthPoint Health & Wellness has launched an empowering series for African American, Black and Indigenous women who have experienced heart attacks, strokes or who are living with high blood pressure or heart disease. Group participants connect in person and learn vital heart health skills and education from local experts. To learn more and get registered, visit Healthy Hearts Social Group.

Activity and healthful eating connection

Join our community partners to learn more about active living, healthful eating and building community:

Active living

Eating for well-being

Building community

How heart health affects our community and what Hennepin County is doing

Poor heart health disproportionately affects Black, Brown and Indigenous communities more heavily than the rest of Hennepin County. Systemic racism is a primary driver of health differences between African American/Black, Indigenous and other communities.

The Board of Commissioners has dedicated $1 million each year since 2024 for Hennepin County Public Health to address heart health disparities. The Women’s Heart Health Initiative supports African American/Black and Indigenous women in Hennepin County by:

  • Partnering with community to develop and support culturally appropriate community programs to improve heart health.
  • Expanding prevention efforts and strengthening care coordination before, during, and after serious heart problems, such as a heart attack.
  • Building awareness through a media campaign centering the experience of Black and Indigenous women who have navigated serious heart health issues.
  • Recognizing and addressing the relationship between heart health and mental health.

Hear heart health stories from Hennepin County leaders and community members:

women with quote "To be able to have that loving heart, you got to reduce the stress from within your life."