When we talk about heart disease, we often focus on diet, exercise, genetics, and lifestyle choices. While these are undeniably critical factors, there’s another layer that deserves equal attention history. Not just personal medical history, but ancestral, cultural, and societal history. The stories of our communities, the traumas of our past, and the environments shaped by historical forces all play a role in how our hearts fare today.
1. The Legacy of Inequality and Health Disparities
Decades (and in some cases, centuries) of systemic inequality have created health disparities that persist today. Marginalized communities—particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have long been exposed to structural barriers that increase stress and limit access to quality healthcare.
For example:
- Redlining and housing discrimination have led to segregated neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food, green spaces, and safe places for exercise.
- Employment discrimination has contributed to economic instability, making it harder for some families to afford healthy lifestyles or preventive care.
- Medical racism has resulted in mistrust in healthcare systems, delaying diagnosis and treatment for many.
These historical injustices contribute to chronic stress, which is known to elevate blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and increase inflammation—risk factors for heart disease.
2. Intergenerational Trauma and the Stress-Heart Connection
Science is beginning to validate what many communities have long known: trauma can be passed down. Intergenerational trauma, whether from colonization, war, slavery, or forced migration, doesn’t just affect mental health—it influences physical health too.
Chronic stress from trauma activates the body’s stress response system, including the release of cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, these hormones can damage blood vessels, elevate cholesterol, and contribute to hypertension, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Understanding these effects encourages a more compassionate, trauma-informed approach to prevention and care.
3. Cultural Diets and Modern Shift
Traditional diets in many cultures were once heart-healthy—rich in plants, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. However, colonization, globalization, and food industry shifts have altered eating habits dramatically.
- Indigenous diets that were once rooted in wild plants and lean proteins have been replaced in many areas with processed, high-sodium foods due to food deserts and economic hardship.
- The spread of Western fast food culture has contributed to a global rise in heart disease, particularly in countries adapting rapidly to urban lifestyles.
Recognizing the value of ancestral food traditions can help us return to heart-healthy, culturally resonant ways of eating.
4. The Healing Power of Historical Awareness
When communities learn about the historical roots of their health risks, it can be incredibly empowering. Understanding that heart disease is not just an individual issue, but a collective historical one, allows for new conversations around healing.
- Culturally relevant public health campaigns
- Community-led wellness programs
- Healthcare providers integrating social and historical context into patient care
- Advocacy for systemic changes to reduce inequities
Healing the heart is about more than managing cholesterol it’s about restoring justice, promoting resilience, and reconnecting with traditions that nourish both body and spirit.
5. Where Do We Go From Here?
Addressing the historical roots of heart disease risk means embracing a holistic view of health—one that includes social, emotional, cultural, and historical factors.
- Acknowledge historical trauma in health education and practice
- Promote culturally tailored care and dietary guidance
- Invest in underserved communities to improve access to care, education, and healthy living environments
- Support mental health services that address stress and trauma
- Celebrate cultural resilience and traditions that support wellness
Final Thoughts
The heart is more than a muscle it’s a mirror reflecting our lived experiences, our histories, and our hopes for the future. By understanding how history shapes the risks for heart disease, we not only pave the way for better individual health but also for more compassionate, inclusive, and effective public health strategies.
Healing our hearts starts with remembering—and reimagining—a healthier path forward, together.
Written by Neil Shah