BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of Black Cardiologists gave laptop computers to 50 Community Health Advocate (CHA) volunteers that contain educational videos on cardiac conditions and treatments to help combat Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)in the African-American community.

Upon receiving the laptops, these volunteers will take the high-tech, heart-health messages to people where they congregate, such as churches and barbershops. In addition to sharing the educational videos, the volunteers will also take blood pressure readings and advise people about steps they can take towards improved cardiac health.

The CHA volunteers received their laptops at an event hosted by the ABC at the ABC headquarters in Atlanta at noon. The 50 laptops are the first of 200 computers distributed to CHAs that were donated by St. Jude Medical to the ABC for its educational initiatives.

"Dying from a heart attack or stroke is no longer a fact of life that we have to accept. CVD is preventable and there are steps people can take to dramatically reduce the chances that heart disease or stroke will be the cause of death," said B. Waine Kong, Ph.D., CEO of the Association of Black Cardiologists. "Through the help of these volunteers and St. Jude Medical, we will be better able to reach African-Americans in their communities and teach our 'Seven Steps to Good Health,' which can help people live with the confidence that heart disease and stroke are diseases that will not interfere with the quality of their life."

While CVD is the number one cause of death in the world, it is particularly devastating to African-American communities, killing 300 adults each day. Yolanda King, Luther Vandross, Kirby Puckett, Reggie White and countless other grandparents, parents, sons and daughters have died from CVD. African-Americans have a disproportionate burden of death and disability from CVD; the death rate is 23 percent higher among adult African-Americans than for the rest of the adult population in the United States. African-Americans also have the highest rate of high blood pressure and tend to develop it younger than other racial groups.

"We applaud the efforts of ABC and their CHA volunteers to get the message out to the African-American community about steps to help prevent cardiovascular disease," said Mike Rousseau, president of St. Jude Medical's U.S. Division. "Especially given recent research documenting disparities in cardiac care, the ABC's program is an example of efforts to address the disproportionate effects of cardiovascular disease on this community."

Founded in 1974, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with an international membership of nearly 600 healthcare professionals. The ABC is dedicated to eliminating the disparities related to cardiovascular disease in all people of color. Today, the ABC's public and private partnerships continue to increase our impact in communities across the nation. The Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and has successfully recruited investigators and subjects for numerous clinical trials including hypertension, lipids and heart failure.