Women and Stroke
The more you know about the symptoms of stroke in women, the better you’ll be able to get help for a victim. Quick treatment can mean the difference between death, disability and recovery.
Stroke is the leading cause of death for women in Jamaica. (in comparison, stroke is the second leading cause of death for men in Jamaica). Stroke kills twice as many Jamaican women as all forms of cancer combined. Each year thousands more women have a stroke than men. Because in general women live longer than men, stroke will have a more negative impact on their lives. More women will:
- Live alone when they have a stroke.
- Be more likely to live with a long term disability after a stroke.
- Have a worse recovery after stroke.
The Classic Stroke Symptoms
It is important to learn the many warning signs of a stroke so you will be able to recognize them if one or more happens to you or a loved one. Once you know the signs, it is extremely important to recognize them and get to the hospital immediately when the first symptoms appear. You may be tempted to downplay your symptoms and not want to go to the hospital. This is normal, but instead you need to get to a hospital where experts are trained in diagnose treatment and can make the difference between life and death.
Learn the symptoms, often called suddens. Remember that the key to identifying these symptoms is that they come on very suddenly. If any of these five symptoms appear suddenly, you may be having a stroke:
All of these symptoms are seen in both men and women.
SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes
SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause
Remember that every minute counts and acting FAST can save a life.
It is important to learn the many warning signs of a stroke so you will be able to recognize them if one or more happens to you or a loved one. Once you know the signs, it is extremely important to recognize them and get to the hospital immediately when the first symptoms appear. You may be tempted to downplay your symptoms and not want to go to the hospital. This is normal, but instead you need to get to a hospital where experts are trained in diagnose treatment and can make the difference between life and death.
Learn the symptoms, often called suddens. Remember that the key to identifying these symptoms is that they come on very suddenly. If any of these five symptoms appear suddenly, you may be having a stroke:
All of these symptoms are seen in both men and women.
SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes
SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause
Remember that every minute counts and acting FAST can save a life.
UNIQUE SYMPTOMS SEEN IN WOMEN
Women may report symptoms not often associated with strokes in men
Women may report symptoms that are different from the common symptoms. They can include:
Women may report symptoms not often associated with strokes in men
Women may report symptoms that are different from the common symptoms. They can include:
- Suddedn Loss of consciousness or fainting
- Sudden General weakness
- Sudden Difficulty or shortness of breath
- Sudden Confusion, unresponsiveness or disorientation
- Sudden behavioral change
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Call 1-1-9 immediately if you observe any of these symptoms. Note the time of the first symptom. This information is important and can affect treatment decisions.
Unique symptoms create a problem, as they are often not recognized as a stroke symptom and treatment is often delayed. The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms. |
If you are confused by the similarity of symptoms such as chest pain to a heart attack, don’t worry. Call 119 to get the ambulance to the scene to begin treatment. They need to get to work whether it’s a heart attack or a stroke that is in progress. The person needs to get to the hospital immediately.
Look for “Altered Mental Status”
If a woman displays odd behaviors, such as sudden drowsiness, this can also indicate a stroke. Clinicians call these symptoms “altered mental status.”
Symptoms also include:
Epidemiologists at the University of Michigan Hospital reported in 2009 that altered mental status was the most prevalent non-traditional symptom, affecting 23 percent of women and 15 percent of men.
The Significance of Non-traditional Symptoms
The problem with unusual symptoms, especially with women, is that they can delay treatment. Often the stroke victim, unable to help herself, relies on bystanders for assistance.
Delays in getting to a hospital cost the stroke patient vital minutes. The victim needs to begin tests as soon as possible to see if a stroke has occurred. The sooner the victim is tested, the sooner the clinicians can administer treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This product can break blood clots in the brain.
Look for “Altered Mental Status”
If a woman displays odd behaviors, such as sudden drowsiness, this can also indicate a stroke. Clinicians call these symptoms “altered mental status.”
Symptoms also include:
- unresponsiveness
- disorientation
- confusion
- sudden behavioral change
- agitation
- hallucination
Epidemiologists at the University of Michigan Hospital reported in 2009 that altered mental status was the most prevalent non-traditional symptom, affecting 23 percent of women and 15 percent of men.
The Significance of Non-traditional Symptoms
The problem with unusual symptoms, especially with women, is that they can delay treatment. Often the stroke victim, unable to help herself, relies on bystanders for assistance.
Delays in getting to a hospital cost the stroke patient vital minutes. The victim needs to begin tests as soon as possible to see if a stroke has occurred. The sooner the victim is tested, the sooner the clinicians can administer treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This product can break blood clots in the brain.
UNIQUE RISK FACTORS IN WOMEN
One way you can improve your odds for not having a stroke is to learn about the lifestyle changes and if necessary, medications, you can take to lower your stroke risk. In addition to the general risk factors like family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, and being overweight, as a woman you are faced with unique risk factors which include:
STROKE PREVENTION FOR WOMEN
Each year stroke kills twice as many women as cancer. However, this fact is widely unknown among the general public. Women are also less knowledgeable about the risk factors and don’t perceive themselves at risk for stroke.
One way you can improve your odds for not having a stroke is to learn about the lifestyle changes and if necessary, medications, you can take to lower your stroke risk. In addition to the general risk factors like family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, and being overweight, as a woman you are faced with unique risk factors which include:
- Taking birth control pills. The greatest concern about using oral contraceptives is for women with additional risk factors, such as age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Being pregnant. Stroke risk increases during a normal pregnancy due to natural changes in the body such as increased blood pressure and stress on the heart.
- Using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a combined hormone therapy of progestin and estrogen, to relieve menopausal symptoms.
- Suffering from migraine headaches with aura. Migraines can increase a woman's stroke risk two and a half times and most people in Jamaica who suffer migraines are women.
STROKE PREVENTION FOR WOMEN
Each year stroke kills twice as many women as cancer. However, this fact is widely unknown among the general public. Women are also less knowledgeable about the risk factors and don’t perceive themselves at risk for stroke.
- Women who experience migraines with aura and smoke are advised to stop smoking immediately.
- Women who are pregnant should monitor their blood pressure during and after pregnancy to lower the risk of stroke.
- Women over 75 should be screened for Atrial Fibrillation
- Women should be screened for high blood pressure prior to starting a birth control regimen.
- Women with concerns about high blood pressure or stroke should consult a doctor.
Women Aware of Symptoms
But both men and women fall down on correctly naming all five major symptoms of stroke, as well as knowing to call 119 right away. Some people still believe 119 is only for fire or police. Some poeple did not know that the National Emergency Number for all emergencies such as medical emergency, fire emergency and police emergency is 119.
Applying Your Knowledge
Stroke knowledge in Jamaica is woefully inadequate. So many people cannot name even one sign of stroke. It is even worse for those who can identify one or two of the five most common signs, they didn't know the importance of acting quickly to call 119 and getting the erson to the hospital. Too many people still believe the physical signs of stroke have to be complete disfigurement with instant disability.
It helps to know the five classic signs of a stroke so that you can help others. If you observe someone in distress, you’ll be able to help, even if they are unable to communicate what they are experiencing.
A race to the hospital can prove life saving, so don’t ignore even mild-seeming symptoms like double vision, dropping your keys repeatedly, hiccups, or leg pain. Delay is danger because Stroke is no Joke. Call 119 if you have ambulance in your area, or rush the person to the hospital.
Knowing Stroke can help you save lives.
But both men and women fall down on correctly naming all five major symptoms of stroke, as well as knowing to call 119 right away. Some people still believe 119 is only for fire or police. Some poeple did not know that the National Emergency Number for all emergencies such as medical emergency, fire emergency and police emergency is 119.
Applying Your Knowledge
Stroke knowledge in Jamaica is woefully inadequate. So many people cannot name even one sign of stroke. It is even worse for those who can identify one or two of the five most common signs, they didn't know the importance of acting quickly to call 119 and getting the erson to the hospital. Too many people still believe the physical signs of stroke have to be complete disfigurement with instant disability.
It helps to know the five classic signs of a stroke so that you can help others. If you observe someone in distress, you’ll be able to help, even if they are unable to communicate what they are experiencing.
A race to the hospital can prove life saving, so don’t ignore even mild-seeming symptoms like double vision, dropping your keys repeatedly, hiccups, or leg pain. Delay is danger because Stroke is no Joke. Call 119 if you have ambulance in your area, or rush the person to the hospital.
Knowing Stroke can help you save lives.
Learn More Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms.