Strokes Can Kill

As we come to the end of stroke awareness month, there is still a crisis with Brown and Black people around the world with hypertension and high blood pressure. There is limited research, educational studies, medical conferences, and funding directed to ascertain the fundamental core reasons why these two cultures have this problem. Many experts believe our lifestyles, our diet, and our economic status in the world contribute to our lack of healthy choices.
In the African American community, 1 out of 2 or 50% of the people in our culture have hypertension. There are other chronic diseases in our community such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, and a myriad of other complications that make our culture the sickest in America.
Every 45 second in America someone has a stroke. Every 3 minutes someone dies of a stroke. Strokes are the second leading cause of death in America, and the number one cause of long term disability. The reason that I have studied and read up on strokes is because I am a stroke survivor who was devastated and debilitated by a stroke eight years ago.
I spent three days in ICU and when I became conscious, I realized I was paralyzed, I could barely talk, and I could not walk. I spent 7 weeks in the hospital, and when I left, I was in a wheelchair, and my left side was paralyzed. My story is in my book entitled, “The Inspiring Journey of a Stroke Survivor.”
There is nothing magical or mythical about strokes. When you don’t take your blood pressure on a monthly basis, you put yourself at risk as you get older. I believe the key to improving health disparities in the African American community starts with proper food, diet, and exercise. To move our community forward, we must began to improve our lifestyle by going to the doctor, stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking, stop using illegal drugs, and lower obesity.
Everyone is at risk for a stroke. It does not matter your ethnicity, or how much money you have in the bank. At anytime or age, you can be devastated by a stroke, which would dramatically alter your family and your life. Know your numbers for lowering your blood pressure. Each time you look in the mirror, stroke and blood pressure awareness starts with you.

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