Women and Stroke

Caring for myself protects the future of everyone I care about, including my own.

Group of diverse women smiling

As a woman you are a lot of things to a lot of people. You are busy. You are stressed. You are strong. You are irreplaceable. You are a caretaker. But do you care for yourself as well as you do others?

You might have unique risk factors that put you at a higher risk for stroke, including pregnancy or menopause or being a woman of color.

I rise for tomorrow by defeating stroke today. Because losing even one woman to stroke is one too many.

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in women and kills more women than men. In fact, one in five women will have a stroke.

The good news is that most strokes can be prevented. Here are some tips:

  • Evaluate your risk factors for stroke. Some risk factors are controllable and treatable, while others aren’t. It’s important to understand your risk.
  • Know your blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range. High blood pressure is the No. 1 preventable cause of stroke.
  • Talk to your health care professional about ways to improve your well-being and help prevent stroke.
  • Learn how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. If you see Face drooping, Arm weakness or Speech difficulty, it’s Time to call 911.

Stroke can be different between women and men.

In the United States, stroke kills more women and is more likely to be the first cardiovascular disease to appear. Dr. Mitch Elkind, a neurologist who has researched stroke prevention and treatment extensively, joins House Calls to discuss the unique stroke risk factors women face, the symptoms they should know, and how stroke can be prevented.