Pro Football Legend Jerome Bettis shares his personal story to help the CDC Foundation’s Live to the Beat campaign reveal hypertension’s silent, deadly toll on Black adults

Through heartfelt stories, the campaign highlights the stressors that Black adults face, making them more likely than any other group to develop high blood pressure and less likely to have it under control.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease deaths. Many people don’t know they have high blood pressure because it usually has no signs or symptoms. However nearly half (48.1 percent) of adults in the United States have hypertension (blood pressure over 130/80 mmHg), and Black adults are disproportionately affected, with almost 60 percent of Black men and women experiencing hypertension. In February, during American Heart Month, the CDC Foundation’s Live to the Beat campaign is launching a “Legacy of Heart Health” resource to help Black adults address the stress that makes it challenging to focus on heart health.

Live to the Beat is tapping into the Black community’s tradition of storytelling to inspire people to prioritize their heart health. In this year’s campaign, former NFL player Jerome Bettis shares his personal connection to cardiovascular disease, including the loss of his father to a heart attack at age 61.

"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," said Jerome Bettis, NFL Hall of Famer and spokesperson for the CDC Foundation's Live to the Beat campaign. "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."

The “Legacy of Heart Health” web page is a platform where people can watch and share stories about how small steps—like reducing stress and controlling blood pressure—can improve quality of life and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.

These “Legacy of Heart Health” stories feature everyday people, in addition to NFL Hall of Fame Member Jerome Bettis, sharing their experiences and strategies for creating a legacy of heart health that can endure in their families and communities. The stories focus on living, including:

• Living in the Now: Highlighting small, intentional changes like embracing a healthier diet and staying active that contribute to healthier futures.
• Living Under Pressure: Addressing risks and stressors that contribute to high blood pressure and strategies for managing them.
• Living in Community: Celebrating the importance of support networks and healthcare professionals in heart health journeys.

“People often remember stories more than facts alone, so this year, Live to the Beat wants to put real-person stories at the forefront of our outreach,” said Kinetra Joseph, senior advisor, Social Marketing & Behavior Change Programs, CDC Foundation. “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.”

• 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.

About “Live to the Beat”

The Live to the Beat campaign is led by CDC Foundation as part of its Million Hearts® Alliance, a public-private coalition to help fuel the Million Hearts® Initiative toward its goal of preventing one million heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events by 2027. The campaign aims to reduce cardiovascular disease risk among Black adults ages 35–54 with a focus on primary prevention, including moving more, eating better, quitting smoking and addressing key risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), Black Heart Association (BHA), Girl Trek and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) are community partners. To learn more about the Live to the Beat and steps to take for healthier living, visit LivetoTheBeat.org.