Life
Black People and Stroke
In the United States, African American adults are 50 percent more likely to have a stroke than their White adult counterparts. Additionally, men are 70 percent more likely to die from a stroke than their White adult counterparts.
Analysis from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health interview survey also reveals that African Americans stroke survivors are more likely to become disabled and have difficulty with activities of daily living than their non-Hispanic white counterparts.
Risk Factors
Stroke is more likely if you have risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, are a smoker, and a history of peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, or certain types of heart disease.
It has been noted that high blood pressure and diabetes are more common among African-Americans than among whites, and that diabetes is even more common among Hispanics.
Why are there disparities?
There are disparities in every aspect of stroke care: from lack of awareness of stroke risk factors, and symptoms to delayed arrival to the emergency room and increased waiting time.
Besides stroke risk factors, there exists economic and social issues. Many African-Americans may not have suffiecient health insurance to cover the costs to access medical care and therefore many of the warning signs are left untreated.
Symptoms of Stroke
It is important to realize that stroke is a medical emergency. Recognizing and responding immediately to the warning signs of stroke by calling 9-1-1 or your local emergency number can significantly improve survival and recovery.
The five signs
Headache – Sudden severe and unusual headache.
Weakness – Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.
Vision problems – Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary.
Trouble speaking – Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary.
Dizziness – Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs.