According to the American Heart Association, medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and sickle-cell anemia are more likely to afflict blacks than any other race.
What's worse is that these conditions often lead to an even bigger and often fatal problem: strokes. In fact, blacks are twice as likely to die from a stroke than white people, and about 50 percent of black women will die either from a stroke or heart disease.
Luckily, these risks can be severely reduced with a few tweaks to one's everyday lifestyle. At 5 p.m. Saturday, Fairview Missionary Baptist Church at 1700 N.E. Seventh will bring stroke risks and solutions to the spotlight with a free Power to End Stroke Gospel Fest, complete with health screenings and informational brochures.
Bobby Jones, producer of "Bobby Jones Gospel" for cable's Black Entertainment Television, will host the event. Eight gospel choirs from across Oklahoma will offer inspiring music, and participants can take tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, sickle-cell anemia and more. In addition, a panel of doctors and dietitians will provide counseling for those at risk.
As a primer for Saturday's event, here are a few things you can do to reduce your risks:
Have your blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked regularly. Exercise regularly. Thirty minutes a day for five days a week is ideal. Maintain a healthy diet. Finally " and this is a big one " if you smoke, quit as soon as possible.For more information, call 948-2120. "Jake Dalton
