Campaign in Sacramento warns blacks of perils of strokes

If you like your chicken fried, your mac and cheese extra cheesy and your veggies taken up a notch by simmering them in pork fat, you may just be cooking up a recipe for disaster.

What nourishes the soul may not be so hot for the heart.

That was part of the message the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association tried to get across Saturday to customers and passers-by at six area African American barbershops.

Officials targeted such barbershops locally and throughout California because African Americans face a far greater risk of stroke than the general population. For them, strokes are the third leading cause of death.

"More than 100,000 African American men and women will suffer a stroke this year alone," said Dr. La Donna White, a family practitioner. "Obesity is very high in the African American community. We tend to not pay attention to the fact that we need to get more exercise, eat less fat and sugar."

In Oak Park, nurses Gloria Morrison and Jacquelyn Denman set up a table outside Uncle Jed's Cut Hut on Third Avenue at Broadway to check blood pressure and test for diabetes with a quick prick of a finger.

As part of the Power to End Stroke campaign, they also passed out literature that encouraged exercise and a healthy diet, along with information about recognizing the warning signs of stroke.

One man who learned he had high blood pressure quickly headed for the doctor.

Others, whose screenings suggested their health was headed in the wrong direction, said they would try to make changes.

"My problem is greasy food and soda," said John Brisco, 19, a barber who took a break from giving $15 haircuts to submit to the blood pressure and diabetes screening. "I drink a lot of soda, and there's nothing like fried chicken. I grew up on it. It's so good."

But good for you?

Says White: "Soul food tends to be extremely flavorful. It's high in fat and high in salt. It is not unusual to cook with pig fat to get the flavor. It's wonderful for the palate. Unfortunately, it's terrible for one's health."

The doctor says strokes come in varying degrees, often due to a blocked blood vessel in the brain or high blood pressure.

Joe Debbs, a longtime volunteer with the American Stroke Association, said changes in diet can be introduced painlessly. After watching his wife suffer a mild heart attack four years ago, Debbs, 59, said they both strived for a healthier lifestyle.

"I love fried foods …" he said. "But rather than frying fish, you can put bread crumbs on it and bake it in the oven, and it looks just like fried fish. I've lost 20 pounds and I feel so much better."

Michael Harris, 44, said his stroke screening indicated his blood pressure was "a little high." He is already working on modifying his diet. Now the artist and activist says he wants to streamline his schedule.

"I need to take a vacation, calm down, and I need to work out a little more," he said as he thanked the nurses.

White says changes need not be drastic.

"We want modest changes. Instead of eating hamburgers four times a week, reduce it to two times a week," she said.

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