During a stroke, the blood supply to a portion of the brain is interrupted, causing a severe reduction of oxygen, nutrients and glucose, resulting in the sudden death of brain cells. Already, two-thirds of U.S. sufferers of stroke fail to call emergency services when a stroke occurs, but Hispanics are far more resistant to dialing 911 for assistance, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association .

Stroke happens to be the chief cause of serious long-term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Furthermore, stroke instigates the death of one in four Hispanic males and one in three Hispanic women, according to the Stroke Association. Health professionals and authorities advise individuals suspecting they have suffered a stroke to reach out to health experts by dialing 911 immediately.

To ensure that brain damage is as minimal as possible, stroke treatment should be administered quickly. Heidi Mochari-Greenberger, an adjunct associate research scientist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and lead study author, indicated that it isn't unusual for stroke survivors from diverse ethnic groups to have significantly worse outcomes because they fail to call an ambulance.

The purpose of the study was to uncover why death and disability rates for diverse groups differed from non-Hispanic whites. The report found that "different levels of ambulance use could play a role." The report also indicated an ambulance ride could offer the speediest path to treatment and recovery.

Nearly 400,000 stroke patients who visited about 1,600 hospitals between 2011 and 2014 were examined for the study. Approximately 59 percent of patients arrived to the hospital by ambulance. The report found that white women were most likely to phone the paramedics after suffering a stroke (62 percent), followed by Hispanic, black and Asian women (between 56 and 58 percent of the time). Approximately 57 percent of black ad 58 percent of whites used an ambulance, while Hispanics were least likely to call an ambulance (52 percent).

There are differences between those who choose to dial 911 and those who don't. Patients with apparent, severe symptoms (speech difficulties, paralysis, weakness) were far more likely to dial. When signs were subtle, it was less likely they would contact emergency assistance.

The research didn't take into account other possible ways a patient may have reached a hospital, or if those who decided against reaching out to 911 fared worse than those who chose to. While the report leaves many questions unanswered, study contributors asserted English proficiency and education could play roles in action taken at the time of stroke.

Nonetheless, failing to receive medical help tends to heighten death and disability rates in multicultural communities. The report suggested developing strategies to address the issue and decrease disparities.

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