Stroke: What Causes It And What Are The Signs Of Stroke In Women

A stroke, also known as a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain stops completely or significantly decreases. Since the brain needs oxygen and nutrients from the blood to function properly, stroke can cause various short-term or long-term problems with sensory, motor, speech, and thinking abilities depending on the affected part of the brain. The most common types of stroke are hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding) and ischemic (caused by clots). Stroke can happen at any age, but it occurs more often as people get older and women are more susceptible than men.

Symptoms of stroke

Symptoms of stroke include sudden onset of weakness or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg; sudden onset of trouble speaking or understanding; and sudden severe headache with no known cause. Some of the common symptoms of stroke in women include one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking and understanding speech, and unexplained dizziness. 

Stroke Risk

Women with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are more prone to stroke. Other risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and being overweight.

Some people are at higher risk because of other conditions and diseases, like those with migraine headaches, a previous history of strokes, a prior brain or head injury, or others. Thrombosis (blood clot) is the other leading cause of stroke. These clots occur in the deep veins of the legs and then move to the heart where they can block the flow of blood going to the brain. Women who have undergone pregnancy, especially if they’ve had several pregnancies, are at greater risk for developing blood clots. Here are several important causes and signs of stroke in women.

How can you prevent stroke in women?

There are a few ways to decrease the risk of stroke. One way is to limit sodium intake. Sodium results in high blood pressure. With blood pressure in check, people will be less likely to experience a stroke. However, keep in mind that an overly low sodium level can be just as dangerous as an overly high sodium level! One should always talk with a doctor about a healthy intake of sodium.

Warning signs of stroke in women

The following signs could be warning signs of a stroke. Symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion and trouble speaking or understanding speech; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; random trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden severe headache with no known cause.