HEALTHCARE


Hispanic Americans Less Likely to Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Stroke


W


hile stroke, heart disease and other cerebrovascular diseases


are the fourth leading cause of death in Hispanics – stroke and heart dis- ease account for one in four deaths among Hispanic men and one in three deat aong ipani woen  find- ings suggest that a stroke knowledge defiit i ore pronouned aong ti population. In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, the American Col- lege of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is working to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke and the urgency of seeking medical attention among the Hispanic community. A stroke occurs when a blood ves-


sel that carries blood and oxygen to the brain is blocked by plaque or a blood clot (acute ischemic stroke), or breaks (hemorrhagic stroke), destroying up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute. Ap- proximately 795,000 strokes occur each year.


ording to te ffie of inority Health, Hispanics between the ages of 35 and 64 are more likely to suffer a stroke than non-Hispanic whites. In a survey of 2,000 women about stroke, Hispanics were less aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke than Cauca- sians. Furthermore, in a separate study of 25,426 individuals, non-English speaking Hispanic Americans, com- pared to those who speak English, were also less likely to identify the signs and symptoms of stroke or rec- ognize the need for immediate medical attention. “Stroke can occur suddenly and without warning,” said Juan Fitz, MD, ACEP spokesperson and Assis- tant Medical Director, Emergency De- partment, Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, TX, who rushed his own wife Dina Fitz to an emergency depart- ment when she began experiencing


64 HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE


„ Sudden severe headache with no known cause


“When I had my stroke I knew im- mediately something was wrong and thankfully I was around others who knew how to respond,” said stroke survivor, Dina Fitz. “But often women - especially Hispanic women - have the tendency to ignore warning signs as they put the health of family members and everyone ele firt eogniing that these symptoms may be signs of a stroke is crucial.” In the event that you or someone you know begins to show signs or symptoms of a stroke, ACEP recom- mends the National Stroke Associa- tion’s F.A.S.T. test as a quick screening


tool: „ Face – Ask the person to smile. Does


one side of the face droop? „ Arms – Ask the person to raise both


arms. Does one arm drift downward? „ Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can they repeat the sentence


the signs and symptoms of a stroke. “When my wife’s face began to droop and she couldn’t speak, we immedi- ately sought medical attention which we believe helped aid in her recovery.” With stroke, time is of the essence,


so knowing the six primary signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial. They


include: „ Sudden numbness or weakness on


one side of the face or facial drooping „ Sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of


the body „ Sudden confusion, trouble speaking


or understanding speech „ Sudden trouble seeing in one or


both eyes „ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination


Celebrating 19 Years of Diversity


correctly? „ Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Immediate medical attention may limit the effects of stroke. Therefore, call 9-1- 1 or get to the hospital. Brain cells are dying.


“Stroke is a medical emergency,” said Sandra M. Schneider, MD, FA- CEP, ACEP President. “If you think you or someone you know is ex- periencing any of the symptoms of a stroke, it is imperative you call 9-1-1 for immediate medical atten- tion, even if the symptoms go away.” For more information about Hispanics and stroke, visit www.stroke.org


Source: American College of Emergency Physicians www.hnmagazine.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100