Minority Women's Health

E-mail this page to a friend

Stroke

Minority Women's Health > American Indians/Alaska Natives > 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.

American Indian/Alaska Native women are twice as likely as white women to have a stroke.  American Indians/Alaska Natives tend to have higher rates of these risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity.

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

1.   American Indian and Alaska Native Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet — This web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists facts and statistics about heart disease and stroke among American Indians and Alaskan Natives. It also provides links to publications on how to reduce your risk.

   http://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/library/fs_aian.htm

2.   American Indian and Alaska Native Women's Health — This site offers information for health service providers and consumers about American Indian and Alaska Native women's health. It discusses access to care, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues.

   http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/MCH/W/index.cfm

3.   American Indian Health — This web site is an information portal for and about the health of native peoples of the United States. The topics include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and environmental health.

   http://americanindianhealth.nlm.nih.gov/

4.   Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke Among American Indians and Alaska Natives — The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke Among American Indians and Alaska Natives is the fourth in a series of CDC atlases related to cardiovascular disease. However, it is the first to focus on geographic patterns of heart disease and stroke mortality and risk factors for a specific racial/ethnic group in the United States. The Atlas provides insights into the geographic disparities in heart disease and stroke experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives.

   http://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/library/aian_atlas/index.htm

5.   Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke — This brochure provides information on stroke prevention. It includes stroke warning signs, an explanation of risk factors, and a description of treatable risk factors.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/preventing_stroke.htm

6.   Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time. — This publication contains information on what a stroke is, the signs of someone having a stroke are, and what can be done to prevent a stroke.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm

7.   Statistical Fact Sheet: American Indians/Alaska Natives and Cardiovascular Diseases (Copyright © AHA) — This publication discusses factors behind the high incidence of heart disease and stroke among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

   http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1168553154544FS02AMIN07.pdf

8. The Brain — Effects of Stroke (Copyright © AMA) — This colorful diagram of the brain shows the damage a stroke can do. It’s easy to understand, and includes a glossary of stroke-related terms.

   http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/brain-e...

Organizations

1.   Indian Health Services
2.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
3.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
4. American Heart Association
5. American Stroke Association
6. National Stroke Association

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007