Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. affecting nearly 800,000 people. Black men and women are at the highest risk of having a stroke than any other racial group in the United States. Compared to whites, they are twice as likely to have a stroke, have strokes at younger ages, die from stroke, or have a stroke-related disability that affects their daily activities.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, and 1 in 3 blacks suffer from high blood pressure. The DASH diet is a proven effective treatment for hypertension and reducing stroke risk. In fact, research shows DASH is more effective in lowering blood pressure in blacks than whites.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when a clot or rupture interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain. When brain cells are starved of oxygen-rich blood, they die. Once you have a stroke, there’s a 1in 4 chance you will have a second stroke. The good news is, up to 80 percent of second clot-related strokes may be preventable.
Risk factors for stroke fall into one of three categories: lifestyle risk factors such as being overweight, eating too much