Although the overall pattern of closing and then reversal of the CVD mortality gap between men and women holds for both white and black Americans, the data illustrated in this and the preceding slide show a troubling difference between black and white women. In the 65- to 85-year age group, the number of CVD deaths of black women not only approaches but exceeds the number of CVD deaths of black men, and the number of black women in this age group who die of CVD exceeds by a considerable margin the number of black women older than 85 years who die of CVD. Comparison with slide 3 shows that this is virtually the reverse of the pattern seen among older white women. It thus appears that although the lifetime prevalence of CVD death is equal for white and black women (see slide 2 notes), the age-related rise in CVD mortality is earlier and steeper for black women.

American Heart Association. Statistical fact sheets. Men and cardiovascular diseasesstatistics. Dallas, Tex: American Heart Association; 2005.

American Heart Association. Statistical fact sheets. Women and cardiovascular diseasesstatistics. Dallas, Tex: American Heart Association; 2005.

Arias E. United States life tables, 2002. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2004;53(6):1-38.