A new study published Wednesday in the journal “Neurology” found Black people in the United States experience strokes more frequently and at younger ages compared to White people.
Stroke risk factors in Black Americans include:
• High blood pressure — Over half of Black adults
have high blood pressure. It develops earlier in
Black people and is often more difficult to manage.
• Overweight and obesity — Almost 70% of black
men and over 80% of black women are overweight
or obese.
• Diabetes — African Americans are more likely to
have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
• Sickle cell anemia — This common genetic disorder
in African Americans is a risk factor for stroke.
• High cholesterol — Nearly 25% of Black people
have high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
• Smoking — Over 14% of black adults smoke,
increasing their risk of stroke two- to fourfold.
• Not exercising regularly — On average, fewer
than half of Black adults meet the weekly goal
of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75
minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of
both), which increases their stroke risk.
• Stress — African American adults face daily
stressors that may increase risk for stroke.
For those who are wondering why this is:
Stroke risk factors in Black Americans include: • High blood pressure — Over half of Black adults have high blood pressure. It develops earlier in Black people and is often more difficult to manage.
• Overweight and obesity — Almost 70% of black men and over 80% of black women are overweight or obese.
• Diabetes — African Americans are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
• Sickle cell anemia — This common genetic disorder in African Americans is a risk factor for stroke.
• High cholesterol — Nearly 25% of Black people have high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
• Smoking — Over 14% of black adults smoke, increasing their risk of stroke two- to fourfold.
• Not exercising regularly — On average, fewer than half of Black adults meet the weekly goal of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of both), which increases their stroke risk.
• Stress — African American adults face daily stressors that may increase risk for stroke.
pdf source