A Wake-Up Call for All Women

It’s true that men have more strokes than women. And stroke risk does rise with age. But women of all ages sometimes suffer strokes.

Hormones may play a role in a younger woman’s stroke risk. For example, pregnant women risk having a stroke when hormone levels shift. Stroke risk during pregnancy is greatest in the six weeks after childbirth.

The hormonal changes of menopause and prolonged hormone replacement therapy also may increase a woman’s risk. In addition, the female hormones in birth control pills and patches can play a part, especially in women who smoke and those who are older than age 35. Migraines also raise a woman’s stroke risk. Some research shows that women with migraines had more strokes than migraine-free women.

The biggest risk factors for stroke at any age are high blood pressure, heart disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and smoking. Treatment for hypertension may cut stroke risk.

Smoking is responsible for more strokes in younger adults. Quitting immediately cuts your risk.

The most common stroke symptoms are:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, an arm, or a leg
• Trouble seeing
• Trouble walking or dizziness
• Confusion or trouble talking or understanding
• Severe headache

Women in particular also may experience sudden pain in the face, leg, or arm; hiccups; nausea; fatigue; chest pain; shortness of breath; or a speeding heartbeat.

Stroke can happen at any age and is always a medical emergency.

Learn what steps you can take to prevent stroke with our stroke FastGuide. Send for your free copy today. Click here.