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, Signs and Symptoms: Are You 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, Signs and Symptoms: Are You 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. 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): What Are Common Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease? 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, loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause; and
  • 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 a leading cause of stroke and the most significant controllable risk factor. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg”.9

Common or Not

How common is stroke?

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

“It is the No. 5 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.1 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. Because nearly all of the signals from the brain to the body and vice versa cross over on their way to and from the brain, this results in each side of the brain controlling the opposite side of the body”.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:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
  2. 5 Things To Know About Stroke
  3. 7 Things To Know About How Stroke Is Different for Women
  4. 7 Things You Can Do To Prevent A Stroke
  5. A Mayo Clinic Expert Explains Aphasia
  6. About Stroke
  7. American Stroke Association
  8. American Stroke Month [May]
  9. Aphasia and Stroke
  10. Ask Your Doctor How You Can Reduce Your Risk
  11. Atherosclerosis and Stroke
  12. Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke
  13. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  14. Cardiovascular Disease
  15. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  16. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  17. Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States]
  18. Doing These 8 Things May Greatly Lower Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke
  19. Effects of Stroke
  20. Empoweredtoserve.org [EmPOWERED To Serve]
  21. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women]
  22. Healthy Lifestyle
  23. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  24. Heart Disease and Stroke
  25. High Blood Pressure
  26. High Blood Pressure and Stroke
  27. High Blood Pressure and Women
  28. Hypertension
  29. Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act In Time.
  30. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life
  31. Know Your Risk
  32. Learn More Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms
  33. Life’s Essential 8
  34. May Is High Blood Pressure Education Month
  35. Mayo Clinic Minute: How To Reduce Your Stroke Risk [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  36. Mayo Clinic Minute: Managing Atrial Fibrillation? [+ Video]
  37. Mayo Clinic Minute: Poor Sleep Can Be Linked To Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: Preventing Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  39. Mayo Clinic Minute: Stroke Treatment [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  40. Mayo Clinic Minute: Think ‘FAST’ To Recognize A Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  41. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is A Subarachnoid Hemorrhage? [+ Video]?
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Women Need To Know About Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  43. Mayo Clinic Q and A: 5 Things To Know About Stroke
  44. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  45. Millionhearts.hhs.gov
  46. Mindyourrisks.nih.gov [Mind Your Risks]
  47. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  48. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: All Disorders
  49. Recovery After Stroke
  50. Recovering From A Stroke
  51. Reduce Your Risk of Stroke
  52. Risk Factors
  53. Risk Factors Under Your Control
  54. Stroke
  55. Stroke
  56. Stroke
  57. Stroke
  58. Stroke
  59. Stroke
  60. Stroke
  61. Stroke Information In Other Languages
  62. Stroke Prevention
  63. Stroke Risk Factors
  64. Stroke Symptoms: F A S T
  65. Stroke and Women
  66. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms
  67. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms: What Is A Stroke [+ Video]
  68. Stroke – Multiply Languages
  69. Stroke.org [National Stroke Association, United States]
  70. Stroke.org.uk  [Stroke Association, United Kingdom]
  71. Stroke: About Stroke
  72. Stroke: About Women and Stroke
  73. Stroke: Preventing Stroke
  74. Stroke: Stroke Risk Factors
  75. Stroke: Signs and Symptoms
  76. Stroke: What Is A Stroke?
  77. Strokefoundation.org.au [Stroke Foundation, Australia]
  78. Strokes and Brain Health Infographic
  79. TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
  80. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice
  81. Types of Stroke and Treatment
  82. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  83. Video: The 4 Phases of Stroke Care — Starting With Prevention
  84. Wisewoman [United States]
  85. Watch, Learn and Live: Hemorrhagic Stroke
  86. Watch, Learn and Live: Ischemic Stroke
  87. Watch, Learn and Live: Transient Ischemic Attack
  88. Webinars: Previous – Hormones and Stroke: An Update on Treatment and Risk
  89. Webinars: Previous – Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
  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 and CVD
  94. Women and Risk of Stroke Infographic
    Stroke
  95. Women and Stroke
  96. World Heart Day [29 September]
    Stroke
  97. World Menopause Day [18 October 2023]
  98. World Stroke Day [29 October 2024]
    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. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html Accessed: 27 December 2024
  2. About Stroke: What Is Stroke? American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke Accessed: 27 December 2024
  3. Stroke: About Stroke – What It Is. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/ Accessed: 27 December 2024
  4. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms: Are You At Risk of Having A Stroke? Page Last Reviewed: February 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke#risk Accessed: 27 December 2024
  5. Stroke – Causes, Signs and Symptoms: Are You At Risk of Having A Stroke? Page Last Reviewed: February 2024. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke#risk Accessed: 27 December 2024
  6. Stroke: About Women and Stroke – At-Risk Populations: Why Are African American Women At Higher Risk for Stroke? 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html Accessed: 27 December 2024
  7. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD): What Are Common Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease? 11 June 2021. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) Accessed: 27 December 2024
  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: 27 December 2024
  9. Risk Factors Under Your Control: High Blood Pressure. Last Reviewed: 08 October 2023. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-risk-factors/risk-factors-under-your-control Accessed: 27 December 2024
  10. About Stroke. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke Accessed: 27 December 2024
  11. Stroke: About Women and Stroke – Overview. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html Accessed: 27 December 2024
  12. Effects of Stroke. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke Accessed: 27 December 2024
  13. WISEWOMAN: About WISEWOMAN – Overview. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/index.htm Accessed: 27 December 2024
  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: 27 December 2024
Topic Last Updated: 12 May 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 December 2024

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