The pressure of caring for others is silently damaging the health of young Black women. A new study in the American Heart Association Journal Hypertension found that over half of Black women caregivers under 45 developed high blood pressure while caring for family members.
“We’re seeing hypertension striking these women in their prime,” says Dr. Milla Arabadjian, who led the research at NYU. “The stress of being everyone’s support system is literally raising their blood pressure to dangerous levels.”
The numbers paint a troubling picture
The study tracked 1,600 Black women aged 21 to 44 who were caring for children, elderly parents, or sick relatives. After about seven years, the results shocked researchers: 43.5% had developed high blood pressure.
But it was even worse for those feeling overwhelmed by caregiving duties. Among women reporting high caregiver stress, nearly 52% ended up with hypertension. Even those handling the pressure better weren’t safe – 41% still developed high blood pressure.
Why caregiving hits Black women especially hard
Black women often become the backbone of their families young, stepping up to care for kids, aging parents, and extended family members. This role brings constant worry about others’ wellbeing while putting their own health last.
“Many of these women are raising children while caring for elderly parents, often with limited help or resources,” says Dr. Tanya Spruill, the study’s senior author. “The physical and emotional load is intense.”
The strain shows up in concerning ways:
Skipping their own medical appointments to care for others Chronic stress from juggling work and family responsibilities Limited time for exercise or preparing healthy meals Difficulty affording help with childcare or elder care Feeling pressure to stay strong for everyone else
When caring becomes costly
Financial struggles add another layer of stress. Many young Black women caregivers work full-time while providing unpaid care at home. The costs of childcare, medical supplies, and transportation to appointments strain already tight budgets.
“We see women draining their savings and working extra hours to cover caregiving expenses,” says Dr. Spruill. “That financial pressure, combined with the emotional burden of caregiving, takes a serious toll on their health.”
Finding ways to protect caregivers
The research points to several crucial solutions:
Making affordable childcare and elder care more accessible Providing education about managing caregiver stress Ensuring regular blood pressure monitoring for caregivers Creating support networks in Black communities Developing programs that address caregivers’ unique needs
“We can’t change the reality that these women will likely be caregivers,” says Dr. Arabadjian. “But we can change how much support they receive doing it.”
A call for real change
This study highlights the urgent need to support young Black women caregivers before high blood pressure leads to heart disease, stroke and other serious health problems. Both healthcare providers and policymakers must step up with practical solutions.
“These women give so much to their families and communities,” says Dr. Spruill. “It’s time we gave back by protecting their health while they care for others.”
