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Stroke
Minority Women's Health > Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians > Health Topics > Stroke
On average, every 45 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. A stroke happens when part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. Strokes can kill brain cells. This may cause a person to lose control of their speech, movement, and memory.
Asian American/Pacific Islanders are less likely than whites to have suffered a stroke and they are less likely to die from a stroke. This group tends to have fewer risk factors for stroke, including being overweight, having high blood pressure, and smoking. Still, it is important to keep a healthy lifestyle to ensure that your risk remains low.
A stroke happens fast. Most people have two or more signs.
The most common signs are:
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (mainly on one side of the body)
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
- sudden confusion or trouble talking or understanding speech
- sudden bad headache with no known cause
Women may also have these symptoms:
- sudden face and arm or leg pain
- sudden hiccups
- sudden nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- sudden tiredness
- sudden chest pain
- sudden shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air)
- sudden pounding or racing heartbeat
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911.
Take these steps to help prevent a stroke:
- Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help along the way, check out our Quitting Smoking section.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work.
- Eat right. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) and blood glucose (sugar).
Publications
Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke - This brochure provides information on stroke prevention and how to tell the signs of a stroke. It includes warning signs, an explanation of risk factors, and a description of treatable risk factors. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/preventing_stroke.htm
Filipinos Aspire for Healthy Hearts: Be Active for a Healthy Heart - This easy-to-read, bilingual Tagalog and English booklet explains the importance of daily physical activity in the prevention of heart disease. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/filipino_facts/filipino-pa.pdf...
Filipinos Aspire for Healthy Hearts: Serve Up a Healthy Life - Give the Gift of Good Nutrition - This easy-to-read, bilingual Tagalog and English booklet talks about the heart health benefits of proper nutrition. In this color brochure, Filipino readers may learn about heart healthy cooking and eating tips. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/filipino_facts/filipino-nutrit...
Frequently Asked Questions - Stroke - This publication contains information on stroke, what it is, what a mini stroke or transient ischemic attack is, the warning signs and effects of a stroke, where strokes occur, and how they affect the body. It also explains who is at risk for a stroke, prevention methods, diagnosis, and stroke rehabilitation. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/stroke.htm
Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time - This publication contains information on what a stroke is, what the signs of someone having a stroke are, and what can be done to prevent stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm
Vietnamese Aspire for Healthy Hearts: Be Active for a Healthier Heart - This easy-to-read, bilingual Vietnamese and English booklet explains the importance of daily physical activity in the prevention of heart disease. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/viet_facts/viet-pa.pdf
Vietnamese Aspire for Healthy Hearts: Serve Up a Healthy Life - Give the Gift of Good Nutrition - This easy-to-read, bilingual Vietnamese and English booklet talks about the heart health benefits of proper nutrition. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/viet_facts/viet-nutrition.pdf
Caring for Someone Who Has a Stroke (Copyright © AHA) - This fact sheet contains information on what a caregiver's role is when caring for someone who has had a stroke. It also provides information on where to go for help if you are feeling overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2875
Organizations
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CDC's WISEWOMAN™ - Well Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
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Office of Minority Health Resource Center (OMHRC), OMH, OPHS, OS, HHS
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American Stroke Association
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National Asian Women's Health Organization
= Indicates Federal Resources
Current as of December 2007
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