Spanish-speaking Utahns can now learn all about stroke in their own native language. The Utah Department of Health’s (UDOH) Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (HDSPP) has recently launched a new web site tailored to the Spanish-speaking population to raise awareness about stroke, a leading cause of death.

A visit to Tucorazon.health.utah.gov offers information about types and symptoms of stroke, as well as health and behavior efforts that can help prevent them. Much of the information is similar to that found in HDSPP’s English-language stroke awareness web site, www.hearthighway.org, but the Spanish site also provides stroke information specific to the Hispanic population.

“This web site is an incredibly important resource for the Spanish-speaking population in Utah, not only because it’s written in Spanish, but because it provides testimonials from Hispanic stroke survivors, a quiz to test their knowledge about stroke, and other important stroke resources,” said Tania Charette, HDSPP Media Coordinator. “We’re confident the site will ultimately help Hispanics learn how to keep themselves healthier and avoid strokes.”

Although risk factors are similar across the population, Hispanics have a higher risk of death or disability because of strokes. Studies also indicate that Hispanics have a higher rate of hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding in the brain as opposed to a blood clot) at a younger age than non-Hispanic whites.

“People of all nationalities are affected by stroke,” said Charette. “With this vital resource, we are now able to clearly communicate the facts about stroke to the largest minority population in the state,” she added.

For more information in Spanish, visit http://tucorazon.health.utah.gov For English visit www.hearthighway.org or call 1-866-88-STROKE. Bilingual operators are available.

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