Women and Stroke

Stroke is as much of a threat to women as it is to men. Protect yourself by learning about your risk factors and knowing the signs and symptoms.

It doesn’t get the attention that osteoporosis does.

And there are no pink ribbons or red dress campaigns to raise awareness like there are for breast cancer and heart disease.

Stroke, it might seem, isn’t on the country’s radar as a women’s health priority. But if you’re a woman, it should be on yours.

Each year, about 795,000 people have strokes in America, according to the American Heart Association. About 144,000 deaths are attributed to stroke each year.

Of those deaths, about 60 percent occur in women. For those who survive, stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability.

As a woman, you may have some unique risk factors for stroke. But you also have more power to prevent stroke than you might realize. By learning what puts you at risk and acting quickly if stroke occurs, you may be able to prevent a stroke or avoid its devastating consequences.

Continue Reading…