Deadly Type of Stroke Targets Mexican Americans and Women

(Ivanhoe Newswire) It often begins as a “thunderclap” headache. It’s been described as the “the worst headache of a person’s life.” In many cases it’s also the last one.

The “thunderclap” is a symptom of a deadly type of stroke that involves bleeding around the brain usually caused by a cerebral aneurysm. It’s called a subarachnoid hemorrhage and according to new research Mexican Americans are one and two-thirds more likely to have one than Caucasians. Women are at a one and three quarter increased risk.

The study results were based on medical records of people in southeast Texas. The study author is Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD, Professor and Director of the University of Michigan Stroke Program in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Morgenstern says the increased risk may be caused by differences in tobacco use and the treatment of hypertension between ethnic groups. “Physicians and public health officials should help Mexican Americans and women take steps to prevent subarachnoid hemorrhage,” he says. “Given that Mexican Americans account for the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the Untied States it is important to examine how this condition may affect certain ethnicities differently.”

Morgenstern also points out that the study only took place in this one area and that results may be different in other places.

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SOURCE: Neurology online edition, June 11, 2008