CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man passionate about cruises is grateful to be alive.

What You Need To Know

  • Minorities may be more likely to have a stroke, according to the CDC

  • Charles Carter lost use of his right arm and leg and has difficulty communicating after his stroke

  • Carter was at a higher risk of stroke due to his high blood pressure, race and family history

Charles Charter, who was the featured stroke survivor at the American Heart Association’s Greater Charlotte Heart Ball last year, is now sharing his story as part of National Stroke Awareness Month.

On March 31, 2015, a hemorrhagic stroke, which causes bleeding in or around the brain, put Carter’s active lifestyle on hold.

He used to travel often as he led his family’s cruising agency.

Carter’s mom, Gertrude Elder said the stroke happened after dinner when he was at home working.

“I said 'what’s the matter, what’s the matter?' and he was pointing over there. I don’t know whether he was trying to tell me something or what,” Elder said.

Carter was rushed to the hospital. He spent almost two months at the hospital and a rehab facility.

“I asked the Lord to save him and he did,” Elder said. “He’s going to improve more and more. God is not through with him."

Carter lost the use of his right arm and leg and suffers from Aphasia, which affects his ability to communicate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, minorities may be more likely to have the medical emergency. For example, Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to have a stroke.

The CDC lists high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes as the leading causes of stroke.

Carter, a Black man with high blood pressure, also had a history of stroke in the family.

“I have hypertension. I take medicine too. My father who passed had hypertension," Elder said.

Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute Neurologist Dr.  Rahul Karamchandani said factors at the patient, provider and system level contribute to the racial disparities in stroke.

“If a minority patient has been subject to bias or discrimination in the past that particular patient may have a level of mistrust with a provider. There may be issues with health literacy in a minority population. There may be issues with, um, adherence to medications based on having some of that mistrust. From a provider level, physicians have unconscious bias,” Karamchandani said.

He said healthy eating habits and having the doctor screen for high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol can help reduce the risk.

However, he said it’s important to acknowledge the racial disparities.

“We have to try to address them and try to address them in a way that's kind of culturally specific, and if, if we don't do that, it's probably not going to bridge that gap,” Karamchandani explained.

Through speech and physical therapy, Carter is making strides in his recovery. His family is also eating less salt and more vegetables.

They are also keeping their faith strong, keeping their hope that one day Carter will walk again on his own and swim in the ocean again.

“I just can’t wait to walk out," Carter said.

Karamchandani said you should remember the acronym "BE FAST" for signs of stroke.

  • Balance loss
  • Eyesight changes
  • Face drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Speech difficulty
  • Time to call 911

For more information about stroke, click here.