If you think you or a loved one is having a stroke — face drooping, slurred speech, and arm weakness are all signs of a possible stroke — you have to act quickly and get help right away.
“Whenever somebody is having a stroke, they’re losing up to 2 million brain cells every minute,” said Dr. Hugo Aparicio, an associate professor of neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and American Stroke Association volunteer expert. “Every minute counts, and we do have treatments for stroke. Over the last few decades, treatments have been developed that could potentially reverse or even totally cure the symptoms of stroke if you get to the hospital in time.”
A stroke is when a blood vessel carrying oxygen to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot. It can happen to anyone at any time. Strokes can lead to permanent disability or even death.
Stroke awareness
This is a major health concern, especially in the Hispanic community. While stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death for Americans, it’s the No. 3 cause of death for Hispanic women and the No. 4 cause of death for Hispanic men.
“Forecasts show that stroke will increase by up to 25% in this demographic by the year 2030,” Dr. Aparicio said. “So, there’s a sense of urgency.”
Now, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has launched a Spanish language website, DerrameCerebral.org. DerrameCerebral.org. Language barriers can make it hard for people to access proper healthcare. The new website makes it easier for Spanish-speaking people to understand the stroke warning signs and risk factors, helping to reduce gaps in care and improve health for the community.
It’s important to offer health information in Spanish since it’s often the primary or preferred language for many in the Hispanic community.
“Stroke is a potentially very devastating condition,” said Dr. Aparicio, noting patients who seek medical attention sooner will likely have better outcomes.
DerrameCerebral.org provides information on risk factors, stroke prevention, warning signs, treatment, and recovery. On the site users can test their knowledge and skills of the stroke warning signs with the R.Á.P.I.D.O. Experience, a series of games and activities which details what the stroke symptoms look, feel and/or sound like.
The acronym R.Á.P.I.D.O. stands for:
- R – Rostro caído (face drooping)
- Á – Álteración del equilibrio (loss of balance, or lack of coordination)
- P – Pérdida de fuerza en el brazo (arm weakness)
- I – Impedimento visual repentino (sudden vision difficulty)
- D – Dificultad para hablar (slurred or strange speech)
- O – Obtén ayuda, llama al 911 (get help, call 911)
Know your risks
Knowing your family history is essential, since families often share similar risk factors like diabetes or heart disease. Your risk of having a stroke is higher if you have a family member who has had a stroke.
It’s also important to know your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers; maintain a healthy weight; get regular exercise and adequate sleep; and not smoke.
“It’s better to mitigate and manage what you can well ahead of time,” Dr. Aparicio said.
“And, at the time of a stroke, seek help immediately to have better outcomes.”
