Why You Need to Know the Signs of Stroke in Women
Did you know that May is Stroke Awareness Month? For years, education around strokes was aimed at men, including how to spot a stroke and what the signs and symptoms look like. However, women are at higher risk for strokes–strokes were the third leading cause of death in women in the US, compared to the fifth leading cause for men. Additionally, strokes are the first sign of cardiovascular disease in women, which has lifetime health implications and is the leading cause of death in women. Knowing the risks, signs, and symptoms, and what to do if you suspect you are having a stroke can save your life.
Understanding Stroke: A Brief Overview
A stroke is when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain cell damage. There are two types of strokes:
- Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain; this is the most common type of stroke.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by a blood vessel leaking or bursting in the brain, resulting in bleeding into or around the brain.
Strokes are medical emergencies and require immediate attention; however, depending on the severity of the stroke, you may not be able to identify the signs. This is doubly true for women, who do not exhibit the “classic” signs of a stroke.
Common Stroke Symptoms in Women
Strokes are not always major events. In fact, sometimes people have what is called a “ministroke,” or a “warning stroke,” which has less apparent symptoms than we typically associate with strokes, but is still a medical emergency. Learning to identify these signs is incredibly important. In both men and women, a stroke may look like sudden:
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body;
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech’
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
- Loss of balance, dizziness, coordination, or difficulty walking;
- Severe headache with no known cause.
In women, other signs may be mistaken for general fatigue, lethargy, or other, less serious ailments. These include:
- Generalized weakness
- Fatigue
- Disorientation or confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
Pain (e.g., chest, arm, or face) - Shortness of breath
- Loss of consciousness or fainting
If you have a sudden onset of any symptoms without a previously known underlying cause, you should call 911 or go to an emergency room. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Learn how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T.
The American Stroke Association uses the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people identify and remember the most common stroke signs:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
It means if you or someone you are with has sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or difficulty speaking, you should call 911 ASAP. Another variation is BE FAST, which includes two other common stroke symptoms, loss of balance and trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Commit either acronym to memory so you know what to look for and how to react.
Risk Factors Specific to Women
Some general risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of smoking, age and excess weight, are true for both men and women. Women also have other factors that can increase their risk. African American and Hispanic women are at an increased risk of stroke due to higher blood pressure levels and excess weight. Another somewhat unique factor is diabetes, which has a higher correlation to stroke risk in women than men, especially Type I diabetes.
Hormones and Stroke Risk
One possible risk factor unique to women is hormones. Throughout their lives, women experience much higher fluctuations in hormones than men due to menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Some key research findings on hormones and stroke risk in women:
- Some studies have looked at whether high or low levels of estrogen (estradiol) increase the risk of stroke in women.
- One study found higher estrogen levels might increase risk, but only when other health problems (like high blood pressure or obesity) were also present.
- Lower levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone produced in the adrenal glands that helps make both estrogen and testosterone, have been linked to a higher risk of stroke as well as more severe strokes and a higher risk of cardiovascular-related death.
The above findings were in smaller studies, so there isn’t a conclusive answer on the link between female hormones and stroke risk. More research is needed, especially in women from diverse backgrounds, to fully understand how hormones impact stroke risk.
Other Risk Factors Unique to Women
Three other factors unique to women that may increase the risk of a stroke are stress, hormonal contraception and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
- Hormonal Contraception: Some research shows a slight increase in the risk of stroke in the first year of using oral contraceptives (i.e., the pill), but not in the long term.
- Similarly, in HRT, some research found that during the first year of use, there may be an increased risk of stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage, an injury to the brain that causes bleeding.
- Chronic stress: Even moderate chronic stress is related to higher stroke risk in women, especially younger wome, and even when they do not have other risk factors, according to recent studies.
However, this research isn’t conclusive, and follow-up research indicates that long-term use of oral contraceptives and HRT may actually have a positive effect on stroke risk. This may be due to estrogen levels–more research is needed.
See the Signs? Get Immediate Medical Attention
Knowing the signs of stroke is important, but knowing how to act on those signs is more important. Timing is critical when it comes to strokes, as the longer the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, the more damage that is done. Roughly 1.9 million neurons die every minute during a stroke, which can lead to permanent long-term disability or even death. Acting fast at the earliest signs of stroke can be a matter of life and death.
Know Your Stroke Risk Profile With a Women’s Health Doctor in Phoenix
We cannot predict a stroke, but you can work with your healthcare provider to understand your current risk and how to lessen it. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, regular physical exercise, and weight management can go a long way. If you have other unique risk factors like a family history of strokes, a Genesis provider can work with you to monitor your health and create a plan. Request an appointment today and take a proactive approach to your long-term health.
Women and Stroke FAQs
Q1: Can young women have strokes?
Yes, strokes can occur at any age. Factors like pregnancy, birth control use, and migraines can increase risk in younger women.
Q2: What are symptoms of a stroke in a woman?
While many symptoms are common to both, women may experience additional symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and disorientation.
Q3: What should I do if I suspect someone is having a stroke?
Act FAST–if their face is suddenly drooping or their arms or speech are affected, it’s time to call emergency services immediately.
Q4. Can stress cause a stroke?
Chronic stress can be incredibly harmful mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. In women who reported moderate stress, there was a 78% increase in risk of stroke, compared to just a 6% increase in men.
Q5: How can I reduce my risk of stroke?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, manage chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and have regular medical check-ups.
Q6: What is the stroke level blood pressure for a woman?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading cause of stroke. In women, the risk of stroke is higher at lower levels, according to some research. A blood pressure reading between 120 and 129 mm Hg can increase a woman’s risk of stroke, whereas for men, it’s a higher number. A blood pressure reading above 130/80 mm Hg can increase stroke risk in both genders. A reading higher than 180/120 is considered a hypertensive crisis that requires immediate medical attention.
Q7: Is it safe to take birth control pills?
While many women take birth control safely, it’s essential to discuss personal risk factors with a healthcare provider, especially if you have other stroke risk factors.
