Polk County's black residents have a much higher death rate from strokes than those who are white or Hispanic. For blacks 35 and older, that rate was 140 stroke deaths per 100,000 people in 2000-2006. It was 80 per 100,000 for whites and even lower, 74 per 100,000, in Hispanics.

Dr. James Meschia, lead author of the study and a neurologist at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, said lack of awareness about atrial fibrillation and not being treated with warfarin could contribute to higher stroke mortality among blacks.

TheLedger.com, by Robin Adams, 3/28/2010

Tags: Dr. James Meschia, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Neurology, stroke, warfarin