The Black Heart Association said heart disease is the number one killer of Americans.
AUSTIN, Texas — A nonprofit organization is offering free heart health assessments during SXSW 2026, with the aim of raising awareness about the risks of heart disease and encouraging early detection.
The Dallas-based Black Heart Association is providing the free screenings during the event. Both BHA and the American Heart Association say heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting people across all backgrounds.
BHA’s co-founder Fredrick Robinson said heart disease was once considered a condition that primarily affected older men. However, he said the organization is now seeing cases in much younger people.
According to Robinson, some individuals as young as 8 years old have experienced fatal heart attacks, underscoring the need for early screenings and preventive care.
It’s even impacted his own co-founder, who’s also his wife.
“My wife and I were caught totally off guard when she suffered her heart attacks,” Robinson said. “In 2024, on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, she suffered three consecutive heart attacks – the third one being a major heart attack with 99% blockage in her main coronary artery. We were dismissed twice. She was young, she was fit, we were eating well, so we were doing all of the things that we needed to do.”
Robinson said if it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.
To help address the issue, the organization travels across the country to provide free health screenings to communities. The test requires only a small finger prick and four drops of blood placed onto a testing card.
The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Participants later receive an email notification when their results are available through an online portal.
“The tests are processed, and they’ll get an email notification when the results are ready,” Robinson said. “In their portal, it will tell everything that we screened here today and break it down in very simple terms.”
The screening measures several health indicators, including blood sugar levels, kidney function, a complete lipid panel and genetic predisposition to heart attacks or strokes.
Robinson emphasized that heart disease does not discriminate based on ethnicity or age. However, data from the American Heart Association shows Black Americans face a higher risk due to factors such as limited access to health care, fewer healthy food options and broader societal challenges.
BHA is bringing these screenings directly to communities so it can help reduce barriers and give people a clearer understanding of their heart health.
Anyone interested in receiving a free screening can visit the organization’s booth at SXSW on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Austin.