Signs of a Stroke: Their Appearance in Female Individuals
In the fight against stroke, a better understanding of the unique symptoms and risk factors affecting women is essential. This article aims to shed light on these aspects, helping women to recognise the signs and seek immediate medical attention.
Stroke, the leading cause of death for females in the United States, accounts for about half of all stroke deaths per year. While many stroke risk factors are shared between women and men, there are certain factors that are unique to women. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the main risk factor for stroke in females. Other risk factors include having depression, high blood pressure during pregnancy, using certain oral birth control medications, especially if they smoke, and not ever breastfeeding.
One of the key challenges in diagnosing strokes in women is that their symptoms can be subtler and diverse, involving systemic signs like fatigue, nausea, and changes in consciousness rather than just localized neurological deficits. Unlike men, who more commonly show "classic" stroke symptoms such as sudden weakness on one side, speech difficulties, and facial drooping, women may experience non-typical locations of pain and symptoms that can mimic other conditions like migraines, vertigo, or digestive issues.
Recognising the signs of stroke is crucial, and the FAST acronym can help: Face (one side of the face droops or does not respond when a person smiles), Arms (one arm drifts downward or does not raise fully when a person raises their arms above their head), Speech (a person's words become slurred or harder to understand), Time (if any of these symptoms occur, a person should call 911 immediately and note the time when symptoms first began).
However, women are more likely to dismiss their symptoms as something else or have subtle symptoms, which can lead to delays in seeking treatment. This is concerning as stroke treatment is time-sensitive, and the sooner treatment starts, the better the outcome for the person. Treatment can often start in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Some common stroke symptoms in both women and men include sudden onset of trouble seeing in one or both eyes, weakness or numbness in the arm, face, or leg, difficulty walking, loss of balance, lack of coordination, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Unique symptoms in women include vision problems, shortness of breath without chest pain, severe headache (sometimes persistent before stroke onset), nausea, extreme fatigue or unexplained tiredness, hiccups, chest pain or fast heartbeat, seizures and hallucinations, general weakness or vague symptoms like confusion and changes in alertness, and loss of balance or dizziness without classic FAST symptoms.
While there are fewer treatment options for hemorrhagic stroke for both females and males, treatment typically involves managing blood pressure in the brain, surgery, and reversing anticoagulant-associated hemorrhage. After a hemorrhagic stroke, a person will likely require ongoing rehabilitation services. Some people may opt not to use a rehabilitation program and instead choose hospice care or assisted living facilities.
Research suggests that females have a 13% lower chance of receiving tPA, a crucial stroke treatment that must be administered within 4.5 hours of symptom onset for maximum effectiveness. However, the 2022 study suggests that females have a higher chance of receiving an endovascular thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure used to remove blood clots from the brain.
In conclusion, women should be aware of the unique symptoms of stroke and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention. By understanding the risks and symptoms, women can take steps to reduce their risk of stroke and increase their chances of a successful recovery. Remember, when it comes to stroke, time is of the essence. If you suspect a stroke, don't hesitate – call 911 immediately.
References: [1] Meschia, J. F. (2014). Sex differences in stroke. Neurology, 83(15 Suppl 2), S3–S7. [3] Wolf, P. A., Austad, S. N., & Meschia, J. F. (2013). Sex differences in stroke: the changing landscape. The Lancet Neurology, 12(2), 130–139. [5] Stroke Association. (n.d.). Women and Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/risk-factors/women-and-stroke
- The unique neurological symptoms and risk factors affecting women in cases of stroke are crucial to understand, given that it accounts for nearly half of all stroke deaths per year among females in the United States.
- High blood pressure, depression, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, certain oral birth control medications, especially when combined with smoking, and not breastfeeding are some risk factors specific to women that increase their susceptibility to stroke.
- Further, diagnosing strokes in women can be challenging due to subtler and diverse symptoms that may include fatigue, nausea, changes in consciousness, and complications that mimic other medical-conditions like migraines or digestive issues.
- Recognizing the signs of a stroke is essential, as prompt treatment can significantly improve the outcome, with many treatment interventions potentially starting even before arrival at the hospital.
- Beyond stroke, other neurological disorders like migraines could potentially benefit from alternative approaches such as CBD, a compound derived from cannabis, which has shown promise in reducing pain and inflammation.
- In addition, it's essential for women to prioritize mental health, physical fitness, and exercise in conjunction with managing other health-and-wellness factors, as these can contribute to an overall reduced risk of stroke and its associated complications, as well as improve women's health and well-being in various aspects, including sports performance.
