Stroke is a medical emergency...every second counts!

Warning signs of a stroke may include one or more of the following symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face or body, especially on one side
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden, severe headache with no cause
• Sudden trouble with vision in one or both eyes

Be alert. Someone may be having a stroke if they have trouble responding when you:

• Ask the person to smile
• Ask the person to raise both arms
• ask the person to speak a simple sentence

If stroke warning signs occur, get help immediately. Call 911.


Here are some facts:

• Twice as many women die from stroke than breast cancer each year
• More women than men die from stroke each year
• One half of all African American women will die from stroke or heart disease
• Women outnumber men as caregivers to stroke survivors
• 4 out of 5 American families will be touched by stroke
• Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability in the U.S.
• Strokes can be prevented
• Strokes can result in less brain damage if fast action is taken after first symptoms
• With greater awareness up to 80% of all strokes can be prevented
  (source:  National Stroke Association)

African Americans and Stroke

One half of all African American women will die from stroke or heart disease.

African Americans are twice as likely to die from stroke as Caucasians.  The rate of first strokes in African Americans is almost double that of Caucasians.  The statistics are staggering -- African Americans are affected by stroke more often than any other group.

Why?

Not all of the reasons are clear why African Americans have an increased risk of stroke.  Some factors include a higher rate of:

High blood pressure.  High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke, and 1 in 3 African Americans suffer from high blood pressure.

Diabetes.  People with diabetes have a higher stroke risk.

Sickle cell anemia.  If sickle-shaped cells block a blood vessel to the brain, a stroke can result.

African Americans also have a higher incidence than Caucasians of obesity and smoking, two other factors that can increase your risk for stroke.

(source:  National Stroke Association)

For additional information call 574-6663 or see Facts about Stroke (Printer friendly)