Guarding the Heart: Why Heart Health Matters for Women, Especially Black Women. ~Dr. Cruse, S.W.I.M. Founder

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

When Scripture tells us to “guard our hearts,” it speaks to more than our spiritual life. It is a reminder that our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being are deeply connected. For women, especially Black women, this truth carries profound weight.

The Hidden Crisis Affecting Women’s Hearts

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet it is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or minimized. Many women do not recognize the symptoms because they do not always look like the dramatic chest pain we see on television. Fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, jaw pain, or simply “not feeling right” can all be signs of a heart in distress.

For Black women, the risks are even higher. Research consistently shows that Black women face:

• Higher rates of hypertension

• Greater exposure to chronic stress

• Barriers to preventive care

• Disparities in diagnosis and treatment

These are not just medical issues. They are emotional and spiritual burdens as well.

The Weight Black Women Carry

Black women often carry the roles of caregiver, leader, advocate, and nurturer all at once. Many are taught to be strong, to push through, to keep going even when their bodies are whispering, or shouting, for rest.

Chronic stress, unprocessed trauma, and the pressure to be everything for everyone can take a real toll on the heart. The body keeps score, and the heart often pays the price.

Guarding the heart becomes both a spiritual discipline and a health imperative.

Guarding the Heart: Mind, Body, and Spirit

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that everything flows from the heart. That means:

• Our emotional health

• Our spiritual life

• Our physical well-being

• Our relationships

• Our purpose

All of it is shaped by how well we care for the heart God entrusted to us.

Guarding your heart looks like:

• Listening to your body instead of pushing past warning signs

• Prioritizing rest without guilt

• Seeking emotional support through therapy, community, or pastoral care

• Managing stress through prayer, movement, and healthy boundaries

• Advocating for yourself in medical spaces

• Choosing nourishment, spiritually and physically

This is not selfish. It is stewardship.