Stroke

“The lifetime risk of stroke for women between the ages of 55 and 75 in the United States is 1 in 5. Stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer does…”.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:

“Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain”.2

Cause

What causes a stroke?

In About Stroke 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

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for stroke?

In Stroke – Causes, Signs & Symptoms: What Increases My Chance of Having A Stroke? the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explain what risk factors are and note:

“A risk factor increases your chance of developing a condition. Risk factors for a stroke are similar to those for heart diseases, such as angina or heart attacks”.4

Atrial Fibrillation

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

Yes. In Stroke – Causes, Signs & Symptoms: What Increases My Chance of Having A Stroke? the BHF also note:

“If you have an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AF) your risk of stroke is increased. This is because AF increases the risk of a blood clot forming inside the top chambers of your heart. If this happens, it can travel to your brain and block the blood flow to your brain”.5

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”.6

Women’s Symptoms

In women, what stroke symptoms may be different from common stroke symptoms?

In Women Have A Higher Risk of Stroke: Unique Symptoms In Women the American Stroke Association (ASA) elaborate on:

“Women may report symptoms that are different from the common symptoms. They can include:

  • Loss of consciousness or fainting
  • General weakness
  • Difficulty or shortness of breath
  • Confusion, unresponsiveness or disorientation
  • Sudden behavioral change
  • Agitation
  • Hallucination
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain
  • Seizures
  • Hiccups

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”.7

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 Pressure

Is there an association between high blood pressure and stroke?

In Stroke Risk Factors You Can Control, Treat and Improve: High Blood Pressure the ASA note:

“High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of stroke and the most significant controllable risk factor. So know your numbers and keep them low”.8

Common or Not

How common is stroke?

In the United States according to the CDC:

“Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. About 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year”.9

Women

In women, how common is stroke?

In Women and Stroke the CDC elaborate on:

Stroke

“The lifetime risk of stroke for women between the ages of 55 and 75 in the United States is 1 in 5. Stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer does, making stroke the third leading cause of death for women.

Surprised? You’re not alone. Many women do not know their risk of having a stroke”.10

Affect

How may a person be affected by stroke?

In Effects of Stroke the ASA explain:

“The effects of a stroke depend on several factors, including the location of the obstruction and how much brain tissue is affected. However, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in neurological complications on the side of the body it affects”.11

WISEWOMAN

What is the (United States) WISEWOMAN program?

In WISEWOMAN the CDC elaborate on:

“The WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation) program was created to help women understand and reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke by providing services to promote lasting heart-healthy lifestyles. Working with low-income, uninsured and underinsured women aged 40 to 64 years, the program provides heart disease and stroke risk factor screenings and services that promote healthy behaviors”.12

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”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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.

  1. About Stroke
  2. African and African Caribbean Background
  3. American Stroke Association
  4. American Stroke Month: One Is Enough [+ Video: I WILL Prevent Another Heart Attack or Stroke]
  5. Answers By Heart Fact Sheets: Cardiovascular Conditions
  6. Aphasia and Stroke
  7. Ask Your Doctor How You Can Reduce Your Risk
  8. Avoiding Heart Attacks and Strokes [Booklet]: Read Our Publications In Different Languages
  9. Blood Pressure Management
  10. Brain Basics: Know Your Brain
  11. Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke
  12. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  13. Cardiovascular Health
  14. Changes You Can Make To Manage High Blood Pressure
  15. Empoweredtoserve.org [EmPOWERED To Serve]
  16. Expert Alert: FAST Response Essential for Stroke
  17. Facts About Stroke
  18. Finding Support [United Kingdom]
  19. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women]
  20. Healthy Eating Helps Keep Your Brain Sharp
  21. Healthy Lifestyle
  22. Healthy Living
  23. Heart & Stroke Encyclopaedia
  24. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  25. Heart Disease and Stroke
  26. Heart.org: Heart and Stroke News
  27. How Cardiovascular Stroke Risks Relate
  28. How To Make Healthy Food and Healthy Lifestyle Choices Now
  29. Infographic: Phases of Stroke Care
  30. Is It Fatigue – or A Stroke? Women Shouldn’t Ignore These Signs
  31. Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act In Time.
  32. Know Your Numbers? They Could Just Save Your Life
  33. Know Your Risk
  34. Learn More Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms
  35. Life After Stroke: A Way Forward
  36. May Is National Stroke Awareness Month
  37. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Women Should Know About Stroke [+ Video]
  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: What You Need To Know About Stroke [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  39. Millionhearts.hhs.gov
  40. Mindyourrisks.nih.gov [Mind Your Risks]
  41. My Life Check | Life’s Simple 7
  42. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
  43. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: All Disorders
  44. Physical Activity Keeps Your Brain Sharp
  45. Preventing Stroke: Healthy Living
  46. Real Women
  47. Recipes [American Heart Association]
  48. Recipes for A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
  49. Recovery After Stroke
  50. Reduce Your Risk of Stroke
  51. Risk Factors
  52. South Asian Background
  53. Stroke
  54. Stroke
  55. Stroke Learn the Signs of Stroke
  56. Stroke
  57. Stroke
  58. Stroke
  59. Stroke
  60. Stroke
  61. Stroke Association [United Kingdom]
  62. Stroke Information In Other Languages
  63. Stroke Information Page
  64. Stroke Resource Library
  65. Stroke Risk Factors
  66. Stroke Risk Factors
  67. Stroke Risk Factors You Can Control, Treat and Improve
  68. Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms
  69. Stroke Symptoms: F A S T
  70. Stroke and Women
  71. Stroke – Causes, Signs & Symptoms
  72. Stroke – Causes, Signs & Symptoms: What Is A Stroke [+ Video]
  73. Stroke – Multiply Languages
  74. Stroke.org [National Stroke Association, United States]
  75. Stroke: An Animation [Video]
  76. Stroke: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  77. Stroke: Profiles – Age 46-55 [Video Interview Stories]
  78. Stroke: Profiles – Age 56-65 [Video Interview Stories]
  79. Stroke: What Is A Stroke?
  80. Stroke: What You Need To Know
  81. Strokefoundation.org.au
  82. TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
  83. TIA and Minor Stroke: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  84. The Many Faces of Stroke: Stroke Survivor Stories
  85. Types of Stroke [+ Video]
  86. Video Series-2019 – Cardiovascular Update: What Women Need To Know
  87. WISEWOMAN
  88. Watch, Learn and Live: Hemorrhagic Stroke
  89. Watch, Learn and Live: Ischemic Stroke
  90. Watch, Learn and Live: Transient Ischemic Attack
  91. What Is A Stroke?
  92. What Is Brain Health?
  93. What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
  94. Women Have A Higher Risk of Stroke
  95. Women and CVD – Facts and Tips
  96. World Heart Day 29 September
  97. World Stroke Day Is October 29th
  98. World Stroke Day: October 29th Stroke
  99. World-stroke.org [World Stroke Organization]
  100. Yourethecure.org

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Women and Stroke. Page Last Reviewed: 05 August 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/women.htm Accessed: 22 August 2020
  2. About Stroke: What Is Stroke? American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke Accessed: 22 August 2020
  3. About Stroke. Page Last Reviewed: January 31, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about.htm Accessed: 22 August 2020
  4. Stroke – Causes, Signs & Symptoms: What Increases My Chance of Having A Stroke? Page Last Reviewed: November 2019. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke Accessed: 22 August 2020
  5. Stroke – Causes, Signs & Symptoms: What Increases My Chance of Having A Stroke? Page Last Reviewed: November 2019. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/stroke Accessed: 22 August 2020
  6. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD): What Are Common Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease? 17 May 2017. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) Accessed: 22 August 2020
  7. Women Have A Higher Risk of Stroke: Unique Symptoms In Women. Last Reviewed: 05 December 2018. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-risk-factors/women-have-a-higher-risk-of-stroke Accessed: 22 August 2020
  8. Stroke Risk Factors You Can Control, Treat and Improve: High Blood Pressure. Last Reviewed: 10 October 2018. American Stroke Association https://www.strokeassociation.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-risk-factors/stroke-risk-factors-you-can-control-treat-and-improve Accessed: 22 August 2020
  9. Stroke. Page Last Reviewed: 07 April 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/ Accessed: 22 August 2020
  10. Women and Stroke. Page Last Reviewed: 05 August 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/women.htm Accessed: 22 August 2020
  11. Effects of Stroke. American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke Accessed: 22 August 2020
  12. WISEWOMAN. Page Last Reviewed: 10 February 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/index.htm Accessed: 22 August 2020
  13. 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/downloads/world_menopause_day_2014/white_paper/wmd_white_paper_english.pdf Accessed: 22 August 2020

Topic Last Updated: 22 August 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 August 2020
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