What Hispanic Adults Need to Know About Heart Health and Stroke

BE FAST is an acronym to help you recognize the signs of stroke and remember what actions to take when a stroke occurs.

1. Balance Issues
2. Eye Problems
3. Facial Drooping
4. Arm weakness
5. Speech Difficulty
6. Time to call 9-1-1.

According to an AHA report, Hispanic adults are not as aware of the symptoms of stroke as their white counterparts. Here are some factors that contribute to this:

I think it has to do with lack of information in general. We, the people who are minorities have a language disadvantage. By not understanding a message or where to go for more information, it becomes difficult to know where to go or what to do in case of emergency. Education begins with something as simple as knowing what to look for in words that the patient can understand. I always tell my patients that having knowledge of something empowers you. That is the first step of being your own agent when it comes to health.

Also, I can add that some Hispanic populations here in the United States are of a lower socioeconomic class. This decreases access to many things, and therefore access to health is affected.

The Connection Between Stroke and Risk Factors Like High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

I always explain to my patients that arteries throughout the body are affected equally, including the arteries of the brain. I think that many people do not know the process of how a stroke occurs in the brain. Basically, the arteries, which provide oxygen to our organs and tissues, become occluded over time. A stroke is when one of these arteries is partially or completely blocked. The reason why this is important to know is that there are factors that influence this process, we call these risk factors. High blood pressure (having systolic pressure of more than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure of more than 80 mmHg) is one of these risk factors. High blood pressure increases the strain on the heart and over time damages arteries and organs. Compared to people who have normal blood pressure, those with high blood pressure are more likely to suffer an attack or stroke. Having altered cholesterol (high LDL, high triglycerides, low HDL) influences the accumulation of plaques and inflammation in the arteries. I also add that smoking cigarettes or “vaping” with nicotine products is a risk factor for these occlusions in the arteries to be generated.

How Obesity Contributes to The Risk of Heart Conditions and Stroke

Obese people usually have an altered metabolic system. Consumption of some foods in excess, such as saturated fats (fast food, etc.), leads to an individual gaining weight. In addition to this, things as simple as not exercising also add to the load. This means a lot of inflammation for the body that leads to other processes, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome contribute to the arteries gradually becoming occluded. I tell my patients that the health of the arteries in your brain, heart and the rest of your body begins with the decisions you make every day of your life. Doing more exercise and eating healthy is an important decision to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

How You Can Reduce Your Risk for Stroke and Other Related Heart Conditions

Simple:

1. Walk/exercise more
2. Eat better
3. Stop smoking cigarettes (if you smoke)
4. Reduce the stress
5. Ask for help if you do not know how to make changes of lifestyle or where to start.

It is easy to write, but the key is to carry it out. Go little by little, lifestyle changes take time. I tell my patients to start by watching what they choose in supermarkets, avoiding fried, ultra-processed foods is essential. Additionally, increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and foods that are antioxidant (reference:  American Heart Association - Simply Good: A cookbook for stroke survivors and their families in English). Then start walking, even 8,000-10,000 steps a day helps to avoid artery diseases that lead to strokes and heart attacks. Start moving however you can, but we recommend 150 minutes a week. So, it is not that hard! 30 minutes a day of exercise can save you from many problems in the future.

Reducing stress is also very important. Identify what is causing you anxiety and seek help! There are many videos and strategies for meditation, contact your physician for more recommendations.

A very common conception in my patients is that this happens from one day to the next, I hear things like: “but if I stopped eating meat two weeks ago, how come I have a heart attack today”? My duty is to explain to you that these processes take a long time to develop, of course there are exceptions, like everything. But the decisions you make from an early age (30's, etc.) affect the health and quality of life you will have in your 50's, 60's. Approximately 95% of coronary artery/ brain artery diseases can be prevented! Believe me, although making a lifestyle change is the most difficult thing, in the end it will be worth it.