Womens stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors and prevention

Sometimes referred to as a "brain attack," a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Within minutes, brain cells begin dying: up to two million per minute. There are two types of stroke:

Ischemic stroke: The most common, ischemic stroke occurs when blood clots block or plug a blood vessel in the brain. Over 80% of all strokes are ischemic.

Hemorrhagic stroke: This type is caused by blood vessels that break and bleed into the brain. Over 30% of stroke deaths are caused by this type of stroke.

Major risk factors for stroke

• High blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, heart disease
• History of TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack, often referred to as "mini stroke")
• Age - Although anyone can have a stroke, risk increases with age.
• Race and ethnicity - Strokes occur more often in African American and least often in Asian American adults.
• Personal or family history of stroke - Risk doubles if someone in the immediate family has had a stroke.
• People who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
• Other risk factors include obesity, unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol and illegal drug use.

Unique factors for women that increase the risk of stroke

• Gender - More women than men have strokes and women are more likely to die from a stroke.
• Birth control pills - Birth control pills can raise the risk of stroke for some women, especially for women over 35
• Hormonal Changes during Pregnancy and Post Delivery - Hormonal changes during pregnancy and the first few months after childbirth
• Hormonal Changes associated with Menopause - Post menopausal women taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Though some risk factors can not be controlled, the following are steps you can take to help protect against stroke:

• Work with your healthcare provider to come up with a plan for controlling high blood pressure which is the most important risk factor for stroke
• If you smoke, stop! Smoking doubles a person's risk of suffering an ischemic stroke
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Keep alcohol intake to a minimum
• If you are overweight, adopt a healthy weight loss plan
• Increase your daily physical activity
• For those with a known cardiovascular disease, low doses of aspirin are recommended. (For people with no known heart disease or vascular problem, however, aspirin's benefits are unclear given the possible side-effects of hemorrhagic strokes and gastrointestinal bleeding.)

A stroke happens in a "FLASH." Most people display two or more signs (even if they are only temporary):

• F - Face: Sudden numbness or weakness of face (mainly on one side of the body)
• L - Legs: Trouble walking or weakness or numbness in one leg
• A - Arm: Difficulty raising one arm or a feeling of arm numbness
• S - Speech: Slurred speech. Confusion. Difficulty understanding conversation
• H - Headache: Sudden unusual or severe headache with no known cause

In the event of any of these signs, get to the hospital emergency room or call 911 as soon as possible. The first three hours are critical to minimize risk of death or becoming disabled.

Other symptoms may include:

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
• Intolerance of noise or light

Women may have the following unique symptoms:

• Sudden face, arm or leg pain
• Sudden hiccups
• Sudden nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
• Sudden tiredness
• Sudden chest pain
• Sudden shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air)
• Sudden pounding or racing heartbeat

The Heart and Stroke Foundation offers their free Emergency wallet card for heart attacks and strokes. Please print it so that you can be prepared.

If you or someone you know have any of these symptoms, don't delay. Remember, every minute counts!

Treatment can generally be divided into three stages:

Prevention of initial or recurrent stroke - The person's risk factors are evaluated and appropriate prevention steps are suggested.

Immediately after a stroke - Attempt to stop the stroke.
Ischemic stroke: Quickly dissolve the problematic blood clot
Hemorrhagic stroke: Stop the bleeding

Rehabilitation to address post-stroke disabilities - Most commonly, this involves drug therapy or medication.

http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/stats.htm
http://www.st-johns.org/services/stroke_center/women.aspx
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=85