Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. During a stroke, blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in the brain. Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men.
A stroke can cause serious physical and cognitive impairment (difficulty in the process of thinking and reasoning) due to brain damage that occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of blood flow. Symptoms can include difficulty speaking, paralysis on one side of the face or body, and confusion.
In addition to or instead of these common symptoms, some people, especially women, have subtle symptoms—such as fatigue or nausea—that can be overlooked and untreated. It’s important to recognize these subtle symptoms in women and get immediate help.
This article will discuss the signs of stroke in women and how to prevent a stroke. Knowing more could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Types of stroke
- Ischemic stroke. Brain tissue damage is caused by a lack of blood supply because of vessels clogging or narrowing.
- Hemorrhagic stroke. The reason for hemorrhagic stroke is brain vessels rupturing, which causes swelling and pressure.
- High blood pressure
- Various heart diseases
- High cholesterol level
- Lack of physical activity