Football Legend Jerome Bettis’ “Live to the Beat” Story
The CDC Foundation’s “Live to the Beat” campaign shares heartfelt stories about hypertension’s silent, deadly toll on Black adults. Football legend and Detroit Native Jerome Bettis is featured in this years campaign. (Black PR Wire)
Bettis said, “As someone who has personally experienced the impact of heart disease, losing my father to a heart attack at a relatively young age, I understand how important it is to take charge of your heart health.” likely than any other group to develop high blood pressure and less likely to have it under control. He continued saying, “Hypertension is often a silent killer, especially in the Black community, where it affects so many but often goes undetected. It’s crucial that we talk about it, raise awareness, and encourage each other to get checked. Together, we can make a difference in reducing the devastating toll of heart disease.”
Football Legend Jerome Bettis’ “Live to the Beat” Story
The “Legacy of Heart Health” website is where you can watch and share stories about how small steps—like reducing stress and controlling blood pressure, can improve your quality of life and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
CDC senior advisor, Social Marketing & Behavior Change Programs, CDC Foundation Kinetra Joseph explains, “By sharing the personal experiences of individuals like Jerome Bettis, we want to break the silence around hypertension and heart disease. These stories connect with people on a deeper level, helping to humanize the impact of these conditions. We believe when people hear from others who have faced similar challenges, it empowers them to take action, seek help, and prioritize their heart health. This campaign is not just about raising awareness; it’s about sparking conversations and creating a lasting impact within the community.”
Additionally, “Live to the Beat” shares some steps for controlling hypertension and preventing cardiovascular disease which include:
- Keep track of your blood pressure. Keeping track of your numbers over time can help you catch problems early. Schedule a wellness exam or visit a local pharmacy to get screened and start tracking today.
- Cut back on sodium (salt). Try cooking more at home and learning what to watch out for when choosing packaged foods.
- Get active. Experts recommend that adults get two hours and 30 minutes of physical activity a week. Just a single session of physical activity can lower your blood pressure right away.
- List your top stressors and identify a step to reduce one of them. Consistent stress over time can lead to high blood pressure and disrupt a heart-healthy lifestyle—making it harder to sleep, eat well and be active, while increasing the chance of behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating unhealthy foods.
- Follow your doctor’s advice if medicine is recommended. Sometimes, heart-healthy changes aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure. If a doctor has prescribed medicine, follow all instructions for taking them.
Also: Tips on Exercising Indoors in Michigan
Learn more about Live to the Beat and steps to take for healthier living at LivetoTheBeat.org.
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About Randi Myles:
I am a child of God that has a lot to say.
Here you will find conversations with artists, authors, speakers, and teachers within the faith-based community. Also, my journey has been colorful, rich, and sometimes really hard so, I look for answers and respite through these posts. My mom wanted me to write a book and I’m working on that, so bear with me as I fumble my way through.
I am working on balancing my extremely fun work life with my personal life that is filled with challenges these days. I know that God will see me to victory so… welcome to my life.
~Randi
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