Hispanics more likely to suffer strokes

Latinos Face Greater Stroke Risk
NEWS 10 Nicole Chavez

SACRAMENTO, CA - The American Heart Association says Latinos are more likely to suffer a stroke at a younger age.

While Friday designated "Go Red For Women," a national event promoting heart disease awareness in women, the American Heart Association also launched a stroke outreach program targeting Latinos.

"Juntos Contra El Derrame Cerebral/Together Against Stroke" focuses on educating the Latino community about what a stroke is, in addition to lifestyle changes and stroke prevention.

Joe Debbs, a member of the association's board of directors, said Latinos are particularly vulnerable to stroke because of a healthcare accessibility gap.

"It has a lot to do with our social economic background," said Debbs. "As we know, Latinos have been put on the short end of our healthcare system."

As a result, the average age of a non-Latino who suffers a stroke is 80. In contrast, the average age for Latinos in this country is 67, according to the association.

The "Juntos" outreach program will eventually offer free stroke screenings, as well as workshops addressing healthy lifestyle changes.

"We eat a lot of fried foods, we season our food, and although our foods are tasteful, some of them are not so healthy," said Debbs.

Elsa Santos had a stroke at just 41 years old. While she is lucky to have survived, she struggles each day to regain strength in her left arm and leg, which the stroke had initially left completely paralyzed.

"I'm really advocating that people learn about the impact of stroke," said Santos.

She wonders if knowing more about strokes could have prevented hers altogether. "I had been complaining of headaches and I was finishing a bottle of Advil a month," she said. "But I didn't think anything of it. I was just really ignorant to it."

The American Heart Association will host one its first "Juntos" stroke outreach events Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Mexican Consolate from 9 a.m. - noon. The consulate is located at 1010 8th Street, between 8th and J streets, in Sacramento.