“If people can’t get medication or are struggling economically and can’t get exercise or afford healthy food, that will increase their risks,” said Elkind, who is chair of the American Stroke Association. “It’s a multi-dimensional problem and all these things interweave with socioeconomics.”
Elkind said better outreach is needed in the Hispanic community that accounts for cultural sensitivities and regional differences. In some urban areas, for example, quality fruits and vegetables are hard to find, while sugary drinks and high-sodium and fried foods are common. Family, community and religious groups can play important roles in health, particularly for recent immigrants, he said.
“The divide between the medical community and immigrant community can be difficult to bridge,” Elkind said. “We have to find individuals within the community that can be the spokespeople for healthy behaviors.”
De La Rosa is now 61 and lives in Victoria, Texas. After being treated for stage 3 colon cancer in 2006, she overhauled her diet. She limits red meat, makes healthy substitutions to traditional Mexican dishes, and no longer drinks sugar-sweetened beverages, favoring water and tea instead.
Last April, De La Rosa had another stroke — 19 years after the first. Her doctor changed up her medications and she fine-tuned her diet even further to include more greens and less sodium.
She also started exercising more, using a fitness tracker to log at least 10,000 steps each day.
“You don’t have to kill yourself with cardio, but do something to stay active,” said De La Rosa, who was nominated by her son Michael as an ASA Stroke Hero.
“[Faith] is what keeps me going,” she said. “Always look up and stay positive. With God’s grace, you’ll be fine. Maybe not physically, but mentally.”
