The American Heart Association (AHA) launched a new campaign to help Latinos manage chronic stress.

Titled  “Protecting Your Well-being Together/Juntos Protegiendo Nuestro Bienestar,” the bilingual campaign aims to address common stressors affecting Latinos. Chronic stress can negatively impact heart health and give rise to increased blood pressure, heart rate and inflammation, which may advance to chronic diseases, according to the AHA.

Many Latinos experience high stress due to systemic disparities, limited access to health care and food insecurity, and this stress has been exacerbated by the pandemic, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The campaign focuses on four areas of life that can cause stress: money, work, health and family responsibilities.

“The ‘Protecting Your Well-being Together/Juntos Protegiendo Nuestro Bienestar’ campaign is all about empowering individuals with information so they can take control of their health and well-being by addressing common stressors,” Andrea Iglesias, PsyD, a volunteer expert for the AHA, said in the news release. “We know that stress can be a major barrier to living a healthy life, but by taking small steps to manage stress, individuals can improve their overall health and reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.”

To reduce money, work, health and family stress, the AHA suggests taking “small, manageable steps” to prioritize mental and physical health, such as setting aside time for physical activity, taking short mental breaks during the workday, maintaining relationships with loved ones and taking control of personal finances.

“Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and it disproportionately affects historically excluded communities,” Iglesias said. “We need to work together to eliminate these disparities and ensure everyone has access to the resources and support they need to maintain good heart health.”

To read more, click #Stress. There, you’ll find headlines such as “11 Ways to Reduce Stress,” “Screening for Pregnancy Anxiety May Help Reduce Early Births” and “Super Simple Ways to Defuse Stress.”