ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The American Heart Association's efforts to educate the community about getting and staying healthy includes a closer look at multicultural differences.

Gender, race and ethnicity all play a role in cardiac risk factors. 

The Heart Association says Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women. Only 36 percent of African American women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk. Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 48 percent have cardiovascular disease.  

"So things that we recommend for everybody regardless of race, ethnicity or family history are knowing your numbers..knowing your blood pressure," said Dr. Erica Miller, UR Medicine Cardiologist. "Have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Know your blood sugar and risk and if you happen to have diabetes."

Spectrum News is helping the American Heart Association raise money. The event is this Saturday at Frontier Field and 81 cents of every dollar raised in Rochester stays in Rochester.