I originally went to urgent care thinking I was just dealing with a virus — something small I could push through, like we so often do. But within a few hours, everything shifted. After being evaluated, I was told to go to the emergency room immediately. In that moment, fear settled in, and I realized this was much more serious than I had allowed myself to believe.

Sitting there, waiting and praying, I thought about how many of us — especially Black women — ignore the early whispers from our bodies because life keeps calling our name. We keep moving. We keep showing up. We keep pouring into everyone else. But that day reminded me that our hearts deserve the same care and attention we give to the world around us.

Two weeks ago, life gently — and honestly, a little forcefully — reminded me that our hearts are not invincible.

After that recent heart scare that landed me in the ER, I found myself sitting still in a way I rarely allow. As mothers, leaders, caregivers, and community builders, we move fast. We carry everyone. We hold everything together. But in that quiet hospital room, I realized something many Black women are taught to ignore:

Strength does not mean silence when your body is asking for help.

Why Heart Health Matters for Black Women

Heart disease remains one of the leading health concerns for Black women in the United States. Stress, genetics, systemic barriers to healthcare, and the pressure to always “be strong” can quietly take a toll on our bodies.

Many of us are balancing motherhood, careers, financial responsibilities, community leadership, and healing from past experiences — often without rest. Over time, that emotional and physical weight can show up in our hearts.

If you’ve never looked into the statistics or resources, here are trusted places to start learning more:

American Heart Association — https://www.heart.org CDC Heart Disease Information — https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease Black Women’s Health Imperative — https://bwhi.org

Knowledge is power, but action is protection.

The Silent Weight of Stress

Urban Mommy has always been about real life — not perfection. And the truth is, many of us are running on survival mode.

We wake up early.

We pour into our children.

We show up for our communities.

We keep going even when we are exhausted.

Stress doesn’t always look like chaos. Sometimes it looks like being “high functioning.” Sometimes it looks like smiling while your body whispers that something isn’t right.

Black women are often praised for resilience, but resilience without rest becomes risk.

Here are a few signs your body may be asking you to slow down:

Constant fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest Chest discomfort or tightness Shortness of breath Headaches, dizziness, or heart palpitations Feeling emotionally overwhelmed more often than usual

If something feels off, please don’t dismiss it.

Self-Care Is Not Selfish — It’s Survival

I know many moms reading this are thinking, “But who has time?”

And I understand that deeply.

Between school schedules, work, bills, and everyday life, taking care of yourself can feel like one more task on an already full list. But here’s the shift I’m learning:

Self-care is not an extra. It’s maintenance for the life you’re building.

Start small if you need to:

Schedule your annual physical and keep the appointment. Ask your doctor about blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress levels. Take a short walk without your phone — even 10 minutes counts. Drink more water than coffee some days. Give yourself permission to rest without guilt.

You don’t have to change everything overnight. Just begin.

For the Moms Raising the Next Generation

One of the reasons I share so openly on Urban Mommy is because our children are always watching us.

– They learn how to treat themselves by watching how we treat ourselves.

– When we prioritize our health, we teach them balance.

– When we speak gently to ourselves, we teach them compassion.

– When we choose healing, we break cycles.

– Your wellness is part of your legacy.

A Gentle Reminder From One Mom to Another

If you take nothing else from this post, let it be this:

Please go get checked.

Please listen to your body.

Please remember that you deserve to be here — healthy, present, and whole.

Urban Mommy has always been about building strong families, and strong families begin with mothers who are supported, seen, and cared for — including by themselves.

Today, choose you.

Not out of fear, but out of love.

With heart and healing,

Monique

Founder, Urban Mommy

Helpful Resources to Save and Share

Find Heart Health Information: https://www.heart.org Learn About Risk Factors for Women: https://www.goredforwomen.org Black Women’s Health Imperative: https://bwhi.org National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov