MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD
BB15
Strokes Prevalent Among African-Americans
D
id you know that about 795,000 Americans
suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year?
Well, according to the American Stroke
Association, it’s true. This means, on average, a
stroke occurs every 40 seconds.The 2006 stroke
death rates per 100,000 population for specific
groups were 67.7 for black males and 57.0 for
black females.
Stroke doesn’t have to lead to disability or death,
as long as you recognize the symptoms and get
to the hospital immediately. This is why more
African-Americans need to increase awareness
of stroke and its warning signs.
Warning signs, from the American Stroke
Association, include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face,
arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Although different strokes affect different folks,
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or
the burden of stroke is greater among people of
understanding.
color than in any other group. “Conditions such
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
as high blood pressure, diabetes and sickle cell
anemia, which are more common among African- • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of
balance or coordination.
Americans, are major stroke risk factors,” said
Sergio Gonzalez-Arias, M.D., medical director of • Sudden, severe headache
with no known cause.
Baptist Health Neuroscience Center.
Bottom line: If you or someone close to you
is having warning signs of stroke, respond by
Stroke affects the arteries leading to and within
calling 9-1-1 immediately! Every second counts.
the brain. When a blood vessel carrying oxygen
And remember, various types of strokes are
and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a
clot or bursts, the brain cannot get the blood (and particularly prevalent among African-American
folks – so know the symptoms!
oxygen) it needs, so parts of it start to die.
Every Breath You Take Matters
P
roper lung function is
essential to a healthy
lifestyle. We often don’t
recognize the importance of
our lungs until our breathing
is compromised by a condition
such as bronchitis or asthma.
As the American Lung
Association says, “When
you can’t breathe, nothing
else matters.”
Lung cancer is the most
common cancer in the world,
contributing 13 percent of the
total number of new cancer
cases diagnosed in 2012.The
disease has a disproportionate
effect on African-Americans.
Scientists have identified
several possible causes for this
disparity, including genetics,
greater exposure to air pollution
and even heavier use of
menthol cigarettes. AfricanAmericans also lag in detection
and treatment of lung cancer,
leading to a higher
mortality rate.
Pulmonologist Juan RodriguezMoran, M.D., medical director
of Intensive Care Services
at South Miami Hospital,
recommends several steps
to maintaining optimum lung
health. Number one on his list:
quitting smoking.
“If you smoke, it goes without
saying that kicking the habit will
have a tremendously beneficial
effect on your lung function
as well as your overall health,”
said Dr. Rodriguez-Moran.
“You should also see a doctor
if you experience shortness of
breath, pain when breathing or
a persistent cough.” Here are
more of Dr. RodriguezMoran’s tips:
• Use simple deep-breathing
techniques to expand your
lung capacity, and mind your
posture to make sure your
lungs aren’t co