At Sikhs in Clinical Research (SICR), we are committed to understanding the health challenges facing our community and improving health outcomes through education, awareness, and community engagement. Recently, we conducted a survey involving approximately 400 participants. Among them, nearly 240 reported having cardiovascular disease. During follow-up conversations, many participants shared their personal experiences with stroke. Their stories revealed the devastating impact of stroke on individuals and families, as well as the urgent need for prevention and culturally relevant health education.
Stroke is deeply personal to me. My father-in-law suffered an ischemic stroke despite considering himself relatively healthy. One day, everything seemed normal, and the next, he was in the hospital learning that a blood clot had blocked blood flow to part of his brain. The first few days were frightening. He struggled with movement and had difficulty speaking. After being discharged from the hospital, he began speech therapy. Over time, he regained much of his independence and continues to recover his speech. His determination, family support, and ongoing medical care played an important role in his recovery. His experience has left our family thinking about how we can better prevent stroke before it happens.
For those who have already experienced a stroke, preventing another stroke is critical because a previous stroke significantly increases the risk of recurrence. Secondary prevention includes controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes and cholesterol, treating conditions such as atrial fibrillation when present, taking prescribed medications, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, and attending regular follow-up appointments. These measures may seem straightforward, but they require ongoing education, support, and access to healthcare.
This raises an important question: How many strokes could have been prevented in the first place? Stroke recovery can be long and difficult, but prevention remains our greatest opportunity. High blood pressure is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, but diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity also increase risk. Yet many people remain unaware of these risks or do not receive regular health screenings. In many communities, medical care is often delayed until symptoms become severe. Fear of receiving bad news, mistrust of healthcare systems, language barriers, and limited access to culturally relevant health education can all contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Family members frequently play a significant role in healthcare decision-making, which means health information must reach entire families, not just individual patients. When families understand stroke risk factors, recognize warning signs, and support preventive care, they become powerful partners in protecting health.
Awareness is especially important because timely recognition of stroke symptoms can save lives. The acronym BEFAST provides a simple way to recognize the warning signs: Balance problems, Eye or vision changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call 911 immediately. Every minute counts during a stroke because brain cells begin to die when blood flow is interrupted. Rapid treatment can reduce disability and improve outcomes. Anyone experiencing stroke symptoms should call 911 immediately rather than driving themselves to the hospital, allowing emergency medical services to begin care and notify the hospital before arrival.
As healthcare professionals and community advocates, we must also recognize that medical information may often be presented in ways difficult for patients and families to understand. Educational materials often do not reflect the cultural backgrounds, languages, beliefs, and lived experiences of the communities they intend to serve. This is where the distinction between equality and equity becomes important. Equality means providing everyone with the same resources or services. Equity means providing care that is responsive to individual needs and circumstances. Achieving better stroke outcomes requires more than equal access; it requires culturally relevant education, compassionate care, and clear communication that respects patients' values and beliefs.
Many Asian American families, including Sikh families, value prayer, traditional healing practices, and family-centered care. These approaches can provide comfort, hope, and emotional support during illness and recovery while complementing evidence-based medical treatment.
Caring for a loved one recovering from stroke can be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging. Family caregivers need support, education, and resources of their own. They should be encouraged to ask for help, share responsibilities with other family members, maintain their own healthcare appointments, and take breaks when needed.
So how do we move toward greater equity in stroke prevention and care? We must bring education directly into our communities by partnering with trusted community organizations and patient advocacy groups. We must strengthen early screening efforts, continue building trust, and improve access to simple, life-saving educational tools such as BEFAST.
Stroke can be fatal or leave survivors with lifelong disabilities that profoundly affect individuals and their families. Yet many strokes are preventable. By promoting stroke prevention, encouraging regular health screenings, improving access to culturally relevant healthcare information, and empowering families to recognize stroke symptoms early, we can reduce suffering and save lives. Community organizations, healthcare professionals, researchers, faith leaders, and families all have a role to play in stroke prevention. Every stroke we prevent is a life we protect. Every family we educate is a future we strengthen. Every step we take toward equity in care brings us closer to a healthier and stronger community.
~ Ekta Grewal
(Founder, Sikhs in Clinical Research)
