African-Americans have a nearly 2-fold greater risk of stroke and are 2 to 3 time more likely to die from stroke than European Americans.*
“Strokes are a real risk for those of all races but the study points out the importance of planning when there is clearly a greater risk,”
Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance
Stroke and African Americans; August 4, 2020 Scientists from around the world have completed the largest analysis of stroke-risk genes ever undertaken in individuals of African descent. Their reasoning; African-Americans have a nearly 2-fold greater risk of stroke and are 2 to 3 time more likely to die from stroke than European Americans.
Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “Strokes strike African-Americans more often and at younger ages than people of European descent,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the organization. “In addition, African-Americans who survive strokes often face greater disability.”
The international study examined the genomes of people of African ancestry. The effort identified important genetic contributors to stroke risk. The analysis comes from the Consortium of Minority Population genome-wide Association Studies of Stroke (COMPASS). In total, the research examined the genomes of 3,734 people who had suffered strokes and more than 18,000 who had not.
Scientists note that family history is a major risk factor for stroke. They suggest genes play a significant role in predicting stroke risk. The study researchers discovered that a common variation near the HNF1A gene was strongly associated with increased stroke risk in those of African ancestry. The gene previously has been associated to both stroke and cardiovascular disease.
One stroke every 40 seconds
Stroke and African Americans planning is beneficial: ”Strokes are a real risk for those of all races but the study points out the importance of planning when there is clearly a greater risk,” explains AACII’s Slome. “The good news is that strokes are survivable but the same can’t be said for people’s finances following a stroke. That’s why planning for the financial consequences of a critical illness is so important for all men and women starting at age 40.”
- Source: Science Daily, August 3, 2020 and AHA Journal.
Photo credit: Image by katrena from Pixabay
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