Stroke

Stroke

“Stroke is a leading cause of death for women.
In the United States, 1 in 5 women
between the ages of 55 and 75 will have a stroke”.1

Umbrella

What may the Stroke Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Brain Attack
  • Brain Stroke
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage
  • Cerebral Infarction
  • Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke
  • Ischemic Stroke
  • Stroke

Definition

What is a stroke?

DotS the definition of a stroke may vary. The American Stroke Association’s (ASA) definition is:

“A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die”.2

Cause

What causes a stroke?

In Stroke: About Stroke – What It Is the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elaborate on:

“A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death”.3

Stroke

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for stroke?

In Stroke: Causes of Stroke – Am I At Risk of Having A Stroke? the British Heart Foundation (BHF) elaborate on:

“Factors that increase your risk (chance) of having a stroke include:

  • …If you’re aged over 55…”.4

Atrial Fibrillation

Is atrial fibrillation (AF) a risk factor for stroke?

In Stroke: Causes of Stroke – Am I At Risk of Having A Stroke? the BHF also note:

  • “If you have a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AF) – if you have AF, the top chambers of your heart (your atria) do not pump blood through your heart as well as they should. If the chambers are not emptied properly, this can lead to a blood clot forming within the chamber. If this happens, there’s a risk that it can travel to your brain and block the blood flow”.5

African American Women

Are African American women at higher risk for stroke?

In Stroke: About Women and Stroke – At-Risk Populations: Why Are African American Women At Higher Risk for Stroke? the CDC elaborate on:

“Stroke is a leading cause of death among African American women, who are more likely to die from a stroke than non-Hispanic White women or Hispanic women in the United States.7 African American people have the highest rate of death due to stroke among all racial and ethnic groups.

  • Almost 3 in 5 African American women are diagnosed with high blood pressure (greater than or equal to 130/80 mm Hg). This is a much higher proportion than White women (almost 2 in 5)…”.6

Common Symptoms

What are the most common symptoms of a stroke?

In Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): Common Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease – Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke the World Health Organization elaborate on:

“The most common symptom of a stroke is sudden weakness of the face, arm, or leg, most often on one side of the body. Other symptoms include sudden onset of:

  • Numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech
  • Difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
  • Difficulty walking, dizziness and/or loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause; and/or
  • Fainting or unconsciousness.

People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately”.7

Women’s Symptoms

What symptoms may women report that are different from the common symptoms?

In Symptoms of A Stroke In Women: How Do I Know If I’m Having A Stroke? Additional Stroke Symptoms That Might Be Seen In Women the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women elaborate on:

  • “Disorientation and confusion or memory problems
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting”.8

Stroke

Emergency Numbers

Can different countries have different emergency telephone numbers?

Different countries can have different emergency telephone numbers. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what your country’s emergency telephone number is.

High Blood PressureStroke

Is there an association between high blood pressure (HBP) and stroke?

In Risk Factors Under Your Control: High Blood Pressure the ASA note:

“High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke and a number of heart conditions. Without treatment, high blood pressure can advance and affect other systems”.9

Common or Not

How common is stroke?

In the United States according to the the American Stroke Association in About Stroke:

“Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States”.10

Women

In women, how common is stroke?

In Stroke: About Women and Stroke – Overview the CDC elaborate on:

“Stroke is a leading cause of death for women. In the United States, 1 in 5 women between the ages of 55 and 75 will have a stroke.

Surprised? You’re not alone. Many women do not know their risk of having a stroke”.11

Affect

How may a person be affected by stroke?

In Effects of Stroke the ASA explain:

“How you are affected by a stroke depends primarily on the location and the extent of damage to the brain tissue. Brain injury can cause changes in certain sensory, motor, or cognitive functions”.12

WISEWOMAN

What is the (United States) WISEWOMAN program?

In WISEWOMAN: About WISEWOMAN – Overview the CDC elaborate on:

“The Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program extends preventive health services to achieve optimal cardiovascular health for women aged 35-64 who participate in the CDC-funded National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The program helps participants understand and reduce their risk of CVD and benefit from early detection and treatment”.13

Health Care Provider

What if I think I am at risk of stroke or I have a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?

If you think you are at risk of stroke or you have a family history of CVD, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Prevention of Diseases After Menopause: Cardiovascular Diseases the authors note:

“Screening for CVD at regular intervals after menopause is extremely important. This includes measurement of blood pressure, lipids and perhaps inflammatory markers, BMI, and ascertainment of lifestyle factors such as activity level and smoking status. In addition, a family history of heart disease and stroke is important”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Stroke?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Stroke?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Stroke

Links

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New or Updated

  1. 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
  2. 7 Things To Know About How Stroke Is Different for Women
  3. A Mayo Clinic Expert Explains Aphasia
  4. A Female-Specific Life Course Approach to the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  5. About Stroke
  6. About Stroke
  7. About Women and Stroke
  8. American Stroke Association
  9. American Stroke Month [May]
  10. Aphasia and Stroke
  11. Atherosclerosis and Stroke
  12. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  13. Comprehensive Centers of Excellence for Women’s Cardiovascular Care: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  14. Consensus Guidance for the Female-Specific Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  15. Effects of Stroke
  16. Empoweredtoserve.org [EmPOWERED To Serve]
  17. From Contraception To Menopause: Why Women Face A Higher Risk of Stroke
  18. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women]
  19. Healthy Lifestyle
  20. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  21. Heart Disease and Stroke
  22. Heart Health and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
  23. High Blood Pressure
  24. High Blood Pressure and Stroke
  25. High Blood Pressure and Women
  26. Hypertension
  27. Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act In Time.
  28. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life
  29. Know Your Risk
  30. Leading Health Groups Redefine Heart Health for Girls and Women
  31. Learn the Signs [5 Videos]
  32. Lower Your Risk of Stroke
  33. Life’s Essential 8
  34. Mayo Clinic Minute: Know the Risk Factors To Prevent Stroke
  35. Mayo Clinic Minute: Poor Sleep Can Be Linked To Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  36. Mayo Clinic Q and A: 5 Things To Know About Stroke
  37. Menopause Awareness And Insights
  38. Millionhearts.hhs.gov
  39. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  40. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: All Disorders
  41. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – Evaluating High-Risk Patients In Menopause At Risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
  42. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2024: Hormones and Stroke: An Update on Treatment and Risk
  43. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Lifestyle, Diet, Exercise
  44. Perimenopause [October 2026]
    Stroke
  45. Postmenopause
    Stroke
  46. Prevent Stroke
  47. Questions About Heart Attack, Blood Pressure, BMI or Stroke? Find Answers Here
  48. Recovery After Stroke
  49. Risk Factors Under Your Control
  50. Stroke
  51. Stroke
  52. Stroke
  53. Stroke
  54. Stroke
  55. Stroke
  56. Stroke
  57. Stroke Information In Other Languages
  58. Stroke Prevention
  59. Stroke Risk Factors
  60. Stroke Symptoms: F A S T
  61. Stroke and Alcohol
  62. Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation
  63. Stroke and Diet
  64. Stroke and High Cholesterol
  65. Stroke and Hypertension
  66. Stroke and Women
  67. Stroke vs. Heart Attack: What’s the Difference? [11 February 2026]
  68. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms
  69. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms: What Is A Stroke [+ Video]
  70. Stroke – Multiply Languages
  71. Stroke.org [National Stroke Association, United States]
  72. Stroke.org.uk  [Stroke Association, United Kingdom]
  73. Stroke: About Stroke
  74. Stroke: About Women and Stroke
  75. Stroke: Preventing Stroke
  76. Stroke: Stroke Risk Factors
  77. Stroke: Signs and Symptoms
  78. Stroke: What Is A Stroke?
  79. Strokefoundation.org.au [Stroke Foundation, Australia]
  80. TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
  81. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Cardiovascular Health
  82. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice
  83. Types of Stroke
  84. Types of Stroke and Treatment
  85. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  86. WISEWOMAN [United States]
  87. Watch, Learn and Live: Hemorrhagic Stroke
  88. Watch, Learn and Live: Ischemic Stroke
  89. Watch, Learn and Live: Transient Ischemic Attack
  90. What Are the Differences In Left vs. Right Brain Strokes?
  91. What Is A Stroke?
  92. What Is A Stroke? [Multiply Languages]
  93. Women & CVD
    Stroke
  94. Women and Risk of Stroke Infographic
    Stroke
  95. Women and Stroke
  96. Women and Stroke
  97. World Menopause Day 2025
    Stroke Stroke
  98. World Stroke Day [29 October]
    Stroke
  99. World-stroke.org [World Stroke Organization]
  100. Yourethecure.org [You’re the Cure, American Heart Association]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Stroke: About Women and Stroke – Overview. 19 May 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html Accessed: 29 October 2026
  2. About Stroke: What Is Stroke? American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke Accessed: 23 July 2026
  3. Stroke: About Stroke – What It Is. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/ Accessed: 29 October 2026
  4. Stroke: Causes of Stroke – Am I At Risk of Having A Stroke? Published: 01 February 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke#risk Accessed: 29 October 2026
  5. Stroke: Are You At Risk of Having A Stroke? Published: 01 February 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke#risk Accessed: 29 October 2026
  6. Stroke: About Women and Stroke – At-Risk Populations: Why Are African American Women At Higher Risk for Stroke? 19 May 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html Accessed: 29 October 2026
  7. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs): Common Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease – Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke. 31 July 2025. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) Accessed: 29 October 2026
  8. Symptoms of A Stroke In Women: How Do I Know If I’m Having A Stroke? Additional Stroke Symptoms That Might Be Seen In Women. Last Reviewed: 31 January 2024. American Stroke Association https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/signs-and-symptoms-in-women/symptoms-of-a-stroke Accessed: 29 October 2026
  9. Risk Factors Under Your Control: High Blood Pressure. Last Reviewed: 20 May 2025. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-risk-factors/risk-factors-under-your-control Accessed: 29 October 2026
  10. About Stroke. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke Accessed: 29 October 2026
  11. Stroke: About Women and Stroke – Overview. 19 May 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html Accessed: 29 October 2026
  12. Effects of Stroke. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke Accessed: 29 October 2026
  13. WISEWOMAN: About WISEWOMAN – Overview. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/php/about/index.html Accessed: 29 October 2026
  14. Lobo, R. A., Davis, S. R., De Villiers, T. J., Gompel, A., Henderson, V. W., Hodis, H. N., Lumsden, M. A., Mack, W. J., Shapiro, S. and Baber, R. J. Prevention of Diseases After Menopause: Cardiovascular Diseases. 2014:7 https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/wmd-2014-white-pages-english.pdf Accessed: 29 October 2026
Topic Last Updated: 29 October 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 29 October 2026

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