During Hispanic Heritage Month, Let’s Talk Stroke

 

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15.  Unfortunately, part of that heritage is a greater risk of stroke.  This seems like the perfect time to talk about the specific stroke risk factors for Hispanics.

Did you know:

  • Stroke causes the death of one in four Hispanic males and one in three Hispanic women
  • The average age for stroke in Hispanics was 67 compared to 80 for non-Hispanic whites
  • Hispanics have the greatest proportion of hypertension. It was found in 72 percent of Hispanics with stroke
  • Diabetes, which is another risk factor for stroke, is more common among Hispanics, with estimates that 30 percent of adults have the disease, and as many as half do not know it
  • Also, obesity is more common with Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites. The American Heart Association reports that 75 percent of Mexican-American men and 72 percent of women age 20 and older were overweight or obese and 29 percent of men and 40 percent of women were obese.

Of course, these stats can be changed! While physical inactivity is also a risk factor for stroke, it is also one way to reduce the risk of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Physical activity reduces risk of stroke by 20 percent in moderately active people and by 27 percent in highly active ones. The American Heart Association recommends 30-minutes of moderate activity, but three 10-minute periods of activity are as beneficial to your overall fitness as one 30-minute session.

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