Georgia State Rep. Doreen Carter joined the “Wake Up With Dee Morning show" to discuss heart disease awareness, food access and prevention efforts as she prepares to host her annual women’s heart health luncheon, “Her Heart Matters,” at the Georgia State Capitol.
Rep. Carter, who represents House District 93 covering parts of DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties, has made heart health advocacy a signature initiative of her legislative and community work. The event, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, aligns with American Heart Month and the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign.
“This has been for me an opportunity to share and bring awareness to heart disease with women and Black women in particular,” Rep. Carter said. She noted that heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women, with disproportionate impacts on Black women.
Rep. Carter explained that the luncheon was born from personal experience. Just months before running for office in 2015, she suffered a heart attack despite having normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels. A family history of heart-related deaths, including her grandmother and mother, later underscored the warning signs she said she had overlooked.
“Because God allowed me to live, I felt that it was my duty to bring awareness and share with as many people as possible,” Rep. Carter said. She added that women often experience heart attack symptoms differently than men, making education and early detection critical.
The Feb. 6 luncheon will be held from noon to 2:45 p.m. at the Georgia State Capitol and will feature a panel of medical experts.
The event is supported by Emory University and will include discussions on emerging research, prevention strategies and risk factors that may not be widely known. Rep. Carter pointed to pregnancy-related high blood pressure as one early indicator of future heart disease risk that is only now gaining broader attention.
“I did not know because that knowledge and research had not been unfolded,” she said, reflecting on her own postpartum health experience.
Beyond medical awareness, the conversation also explored the connection between heart health, food access and agriculture policy. I did not know because that knowledge and research had not been unfolded , who serves on the Georgia House Agriculture Committee, emphasized the role of diet and food systems in long-term health outcomes.
“It’s really about the food we’re eating, is the truth be told,” she said, acknowledging the cultural and behavioral challenges associated with changing dietary habits. She added that communities with limited access to fresh foods often face higher rates of heart disease.
Rep. Carter also addressed questions about advocacy for Black farmers, farmers markets and agricultural education, noting recent legislative efforts to expand agriculture programs in Georgia schools and increase awareness of available resources.
“This event is so important because it allows us an opportunity to raise awareness about heart disease,” Rep. Carter said. “Probably a third of women don’t even know that they have it.”
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.