AHA Scientific Sessions 2026 Abstract · Nov 2, 2026
Cardiovascular Health is a Team Sport: A Qualitative Study of Black Men with or at Risk for Hypertension and Their Partners
By Chehade M, Garcia N, Burrell K et al.
Introduction: Lifestyle modification is a cornerstone of hypertension prevention efforts. Interpersonal factors influencing the uptake and maintenance of cardiovascular disease prevention behaviors remain underexplored among Black men, who experience the highest prevalence of hypertension and its associated adverse outcomes among U.S. racial groups. Objective: We qualitatively explored the role of interpersonal factors on cardiovascular prevention practices among Black men with or at risk for hypertension and their partners. Methods: This study was ancillary to the Community-to-Clinic Linkage Program (CLIP), a barbershop-based cluster-randomized trial on hypertension prevention in Black men in New York City. Eligible participants were: 1) parent-study (CLIP) participants, self-identified Black men with blood pressure 120-139/80-89 mmHg, aged ≥18 years; and 2) intimate partners (e.g., spouses, domestic partners, or primary intimate relationship >6 months), aged ≥ 18 years. Participants were recruited in collaboration with community partners using convenience and purposive sampling methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by phone in English (CLIP participants) or English/Spanish (partners), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. We used reflexive thematic analysis with inductive coding to construct themes aligned with the study objective. Results: We enrolled n=16 Black men, median age 41.5, range 18-68 years, 50% Hispanic ethnicity, and n=13 partners, median age 35.5, range 23-64 years, 92% identified as women, 77% identified as Black, 38% Hispanic ethnicity. We developed three key themes across interviews: 1) leveraging dyadic relationships to support cardiovascular health promotion; 2) maintaining health-promoting behaviors through adaptation and accountability; and 3) navigating structural constraints to sustain cardiovascular health . Participants described open communication and shared accountability and motivation as central processes through which partners influenced healthy behaviors. Sustaining behavior change required routine-building, proactive self-management, and stress management within the context of work, caregiving, and household responsibilities. Participants also highlighted how financial constraints, limited access to healthy foods, and competing life demands influenced engagement in health promotion. Across themes, intergenerational learning and family engagement reinforced cardiovascular health knowledge and supported the adoption and maintenance of health-promoting behaviors. Conclusion: Hypertension prevention extends beyond the individual level to include partner dynamics and social context. Dyadic interventions that leverage shared goal setting, mutual accountability, and collaborative problem-solving may enhance self-management and cardiovascular health promotion.