The American Heart Association says among Black women over 20, nearly 59% have cardiovascular disease. According to Tulane University, Black Americans are 54% more likely to suffer from it than white Americans.

When Erin Vickers was pregnant with her son Jayden, her health issues began.

What You Need To Know

  • The American Heart Association says among Black women over 20, nearly 59% have cardiovascular disease, and according to Tulane University, Black Americans are 54% more likely to from it than white Americans

  • When Erin Vickers was pregnant with her son Jayden, her health issues began 

  • She says some of her doctors were dismissive and she was told to watch and wait

“I had a symptom of dizziness, which is seemingly minor," Vickers said. "But I had it checked out because when you’re pregnant you have everything checked out."

She says some of her doctors were dismissive and she was told to watch and wait.

“So during that time, I did pass out while I was pregnant," Vickers said. "So I knew that the dizziness was not normal and there was something more than just being pregnant."

She was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and had an ICD device put in, which is a combination pacemaker and defibrillator.

“I mean, yes, I am a Black woman," Vickers said. "Those could be factors. That could be other factors as well. But the fact of the matter was I was completely dismissed.

“There is systemic racism, there's unconscious bias. So, yes, you may not walk through life thinking that you have an opinion about somebody, but that doesn't mean you don't. I mean, I have my own about other things. So because that exists and then it can translate into, you know, the medical facilities we're in, it's very dangerous."

All of this is why Vickers says she has to be her own advocate and she’s teaching her children to do the same.