Women's Stroke Risk Factors

According to the CDC, someone in America has a stroke every 40 seconds.

While you might know the signs of a stroke when it's happening due to the acronym FAST (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 9-1-1), did you know there are other risk factors?

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and diabetes were leading causes of this condition. However, stroke signs and risk factors can differ for men versus women.

According to the National Stroke Association, few women recognize the threat despite having 55,000 more strokes each year than men. A 2017 study in the Western Journal of Nursing Research found less than half of women have an accurate awareness of their stroke risk. In addition to the most common risk factors, characteristics of strokes distinct to women include:

• A history of migraines
• Hormone replacement during menopause
• Oral contraceptive use, particularly with high blood pressure
• Physiological changes that may take place during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (high blood pressure)

Strokes are the third leading cause of death for women—killing almost double the women breast cancer does. However, there are ways to reduce risk. Harvard Medical School suggests:

• Drinking alcohol in moderation. Most experts advise women keep it under two drinks daily.
• Exercising 30 minutes per day, five days per week.
• Keep blood sugar in check to avoid damaged blood vessels.
• Losing 10 pounds or working with a doctor to get your BMI to 25 or lower.
• Lowering your blood pressure, since high blood pressure can double or quadruple stroke risk.
• Quit smoking, as it increases plaque buildup in arteries.

Women-specific stroke symptoms share one characteristic with classic signs — they occur without warning. According to the National Stroke Association, unique symptoms include:

• Change in normal breathing rhythm
• Chest pain or tightness
• Hiccups
• Nausea
• Skipping or racing heartbeat
• Weakness throughout the body

If you notice any of these signs, call 911 and note the time. Medical personnel will need to know when you first saw symptoms to determine the best treatment.

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