Health Tips From Dr. Katrina Banks
Stroke is an important topic, especially for Black Americans. Black Americans have a higher incidence of stroke (especially ischemic stroke) and a higher death rate when it comes to stroke compared to other racial groups.
The Ischemic Stroke is the most common stroke and occurs when a blood clot blocks
an artery. A Hemorrhagic Stroke occurs when an artery bursts in the brain typically due to high blood pressure. When you have a loss of blood flow due to a blocked artery or a burst artery, you can have symptoms of severe headache, dizziness, speech difficulties understanding and speaking, confusion, one-sided paralysis, visual problems, difficulty maintaining balance, and impaired walking.
Black stroke survivors are more likely to be disabled with greater disabilities when completing daily routine activities. Let’s get into the reasons why Black Americans have a higher incidence of stroke.
The American Stroke Association reports that more than 66% of African Americans have at least 1 risk factor for stroke.
These risk factors from the American Stroke Association:
High blood pressure: Greater than 50% of Black Americans in the United States have high blood pressure. Some of us don’t even know we have blood pressure and high blood pressure can be a silent killer.
Diabetes: Black Americans have a higher incidence of type II diabetes when compared to other racial groups.
Obesity: Statistics report from the American Stroke Association that 70% of Black Men and 80% of Black women in the United States are overweight.
High Cholesterol: 30% of black Americans have higher levels of bad cholesterol also known as “LDL”.
Sickel Cell Anemia: This common genetic disorder in African Americans is a risk factor for stroke.
Smoking: Over 15% of black adults smoke, doubling their risk of stroke.
Stress Levels: Black Americans are more likely to face greater daily stressors that could lead to having a stroke.
What control do Black Americans have in decreasing the incidence of stroke? When it comes to blood pressure, there is a need to get it checked regularly. Most times high blood pressure tends to run in the family and getting check-ups regularly will allow for improved monitoring.
There are usually no signs that you have high blood pressure and it is often known as a silent killer.
Those with type II diabetes have an issue where your pancreas makes less insulin (sugar) than the body needs and the body stops responding to insulin.
Therefore insulin (sugar) builds up in your blood and you end up with insulin resistance. Most people with type II are typically obese. Changing your diet and adding physical activity into your routine will help you lose weight, lessening insulin resistance, and decreasing your chances of stroke.
As a high percentage of Black Americans tend to be obese it is important to choose healthier meals, reduce salt in the diet, and become more physically active. Being obese can also lead to having high cholesterol. With high cholesterol that means you have increased fatty deposits from foods that you eat that stick to your arteries and can lead to a stroke.
Changing your diet will be key in lowering your cholesterol.
As far as smoking, it is best to stop at all causes. Stress relief will be key in decreasing your blood pressure. Engaging in activities such as yoga, massage therapy, and meditation are helpful techniques to alleviate stress relief.
It is very important that we research thoroughly to find primary care providers (Doctors,
Nurse Practitioner Physician Assistant. Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist) who we can trust for annual check-ups and can talk to about our health concerns.
Black Americans are less likely to use primary care as their usual source of care. This is generally due to race differences in socioeconomic status and access to primary care services.
If you do have a stroke, it is important to get skilled Physical Therapy right away as your chance of recovering from the stroke dwindles as time goes by without any aggressive treatment.
You want to find a Physical Therapist who specializes in stroke rehabilitation and can work one-on-one with you, talk about your goals in getting back to doing something you desire, and challenge you during your sessions to help rewire the brain to do a functional task such as standing and walking.
Katrina J, Banks is a licensed Physical Therapist with a specialty in Neurology and owner of Neurologic Optimal Wellness Physical Therapy LLC.
She is a Springfield, MA native and became intrigued with the profession of Physical Therapy back in high school when her aunt suffered a stroke.