Your environment plays a critical role in your heart health

[WCCO-TV News, November 13, 2023] Have you heard of social determinants of health? They are the conditions in a person’s environment that impacts their health. They include access to well-paying jobs, transportation, health care and education.

Courtney Jordan Baechler, MD joined WCCO-TV’s morning show to discuss what social determinants of health are and how they impact the health of Native Americans, especially their heart health. While heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans, we are seeing Native and Black Americans in Minnesota die from heart issues at higher rates and at younger ages than the state average.

Dr. Jordan Baechler says, "Prevention! There is so much power here. We can’t control everything, but we have a lot of ability to impact our heart outcomes."

Watch the interview below for tips to help you and everyone else begin to take control of their heart health.