Younger women’s if you are thinking that you are too young and stroke can’t affect your health then you are absolutely wrong because research data shows that women under age 45, stroke hospitalizations are up 30 percent. In general terms, people are thinking that stroke only happens in older adults, but it can occur at any age, even in children.
The mathematics statistics about stroke is not in favor of you women’s. Data predict stroke is the third leading cause of death for women, and each year 55,000 more women than men have suffered from a stroke. In general, women live longer than men, but stroke will have a more negative impact on their lives.
Time is critical in stroke:
The stroke deprives brain tissue of essential oxygen and nutrient-rich blood, resulting in the death of brain cells. So in this situation, every minute is critical. If a stroke patient receives a faster treatment then he/she has a better chance of recovery. That is why recognizing the signs of stroke is very important. A stroke may be caused by a blocked or narrowed artery in the brain or by a leaking or ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Higher hormone levels, particularly estrogen, compromise the integrity of blood vessels. They affect how the vessels stretch and contract, which can make them more vulnerable to arterial dissection and blood clots.
Risk factors
About 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Many factors that increase a person’s risk of stroke and some of these also increase the risk of a heart attack. They include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- combination of genetics
- Being age 55 or older
- Bad lifestyle choices
These factors as contributors to an increased stroke risk in women:
- Pregnancy plus preeclampsia (or high blood pressure during pregnancy)
- Birth control pills
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Migraines with aura plus smoking
- Atrial fibrillation
- Depression
- Emotional stress
Reported by: Dr. Himani