Contrary to popular belief, stroke is not a health issue that should worry men only. The NSA (National Stroke Association) has recently revealed that about 55.000 more women lose their lives each year as a result of stroke compared to man. As a matter of fact, stroke is among the top 5 causes of death for women.
Many women (and men) will find this information odd because in most cases men are the ones who are following unhealthy lifestyle, they are fond of smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol and they do this more than women. Yet, somehow women are still at greater risk of experiencing stroke.
Now Let’s See What Exactly is Stroke
A stroke appears when our brain can’t get enough nutrients and oxygen from our blood as a result of clogging or blockage in the vein that directs blood to the brain. So, the insufficient supply of blood and oxygen in this area makes the cells cease their activities and eventually die.
Strokes are caused by few different things and that’s why medicine divides strokes into several groups. For instance, in case a clot is present then this is known as ischemic stroke. When the blood vessel breaks this is known as hemorrhagic stroke and finally, a temporary clot in the vein leads to a mini stroke also known as TIA (transient ischemic attack).
Mini Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Even though TIA is a type of stroke that goes away spontaneously, people should look at it as a early warning sign of something even more serious. If you don’t take a TIA seriously, you are risking your life. A mini stroke has different duration from just a couple of seconds to several hours, but regardless of its duration you must always call 911 instantly.
The vast majority of women are not aware that they are witnessing the emergence of a mini stroke or any other type of stroke, so by learning more about the symptoms and signs they should be able to save themselves from serious damage. If you notice any of the symptoms and signs mentioned below take them seriously. In case you experience some issues don’t hesitate to call 911.
Causes, Symptoms and Signs of Stroke in Women
Regardless of their age, men always have more chances of experiencing a stroke compared to women. Yet, every year significantly more women die from stroke and it seems that the numbers are growing. So, why are women at more danger? What is the cause?
As we all know, men tend to skip regular medical checkups and they usually smoke more cigarettes, drink more alcohol and eat less healthy food, but there are some other things that make women more prone to stroke-related fatalities. One of the reasons why women are at higher risk is the fact that they usually live longer than men and the risk of stroke grows with age. However, this is only one of the factors that contribute to this difference.
Factors That Contribute to The Occurrence of Stroke in Women
There are certain risk factors that are equal for both men and women. Some of these risk factors include:
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity and being overweight
- High cholesterol levels
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Cardiovascular disease.
However, there are specific factors that are exclusive for women’s tendency to experience stroke. This is a short list of these risk factors:
- Using birth control pills
- Being pregnant
- Suffering from frequent migraines
- Following HRT – hormone replacement therapy
- Overall mental health.
Via Healthline