What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients. This can happen because of a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). During a stroke, brain cells begin to die within minutes, resulting in symptoms such as sudden weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or loss of coordination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women are at higher risk of stroke due to hormonal changes, high blood pressure, and other risk factors such as birth control pills and age.
What are the symptoms of stroke in women?
Numbness or weakness often occurs in the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body, this is a sign of stroke in women.
Disorientation, confusion, and difficulty speaking or understanding are also signs of a stroke.
Women may experience difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or loss of coordination.
A sudden, severe headache that doesn't go away can be a sign of a stroke in women.
Women who have a stroke may also experience seizures, loss of consciousness, persistent hiccups, or neck pain if the stroke affects the brain stem area.
