How Stroke Risks Differ in Women From Men

A stroke is a serious problem in the brain. It occurs when blood flow to a specific area is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, putting brain cells at risk. While men often have a higher risk of stroke than women, women are more likely to die when a stroke hits.

Approximately 60% of stroke-related deaths occur in women. Furthermore, strokes kill nearly twice as many women every year as breast cancer, making it the fifth leading cause of death for women. Studies also show that 1 in 5 people has a stroke between 55 and 75 years of age.

These numbers may seem bleak, but there’s also good news. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 in 5 strokes are preventable — but you need to understand your risks and take action.

The board-certified cardiologists at Advanced Heart Care Associates in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada, provide expert interventional cardiology and general cardiology services.

They’ve served generations of women, ensuring they understand how their stroke risks differ from men.

Are you ready to take action against strokes? Here’s what you should know.

General risk factors for stroke

Several lifestyle and medical risk factors increase your chances of stroke, regardless of gender, such as:

Being overweight, obese, or sedentary
Drinking heavily or using illegal drugs
Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke
Having certain conditions, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or COVID-19
Living with obstructive sleep apnea
Having a personal or family history of stroke or heart attack

Similarly, people aged 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than younger populations. Furthermore, people of African-American or Hispanic descent have a higher risk as well.

So how are women’s risks different?

Women and stroke

There are three specific reasons why women have a higher risk of stroke and serious complications when compared with men.

1. High blood pressure

To start, nearly 40% of women live with high blood pressure or take medication to control their numbers, which is a significant risk factor for the condition.

2. Hormones

Reproductive hormones also increase a woman’s chances of stroke, especially with oral contraceptives, pregnancy, and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Similarly, your risks for stroke increase if you have had preeclampsia, eclampsia, or gestational diabetes.

3. Longer lifespan

A woman’s average lifespan is typically longer than a man’s. Since the chances for stroke increase with age, that puts women at higher risk throughout their lifetime.

Preventing stroke

Fortunately, you can often reduce your risks for stroke by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as:

Managing medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea
Eating a nutritious diet low in fat and cholesterol
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising regularly
Quitting tobacco use
Drinking in moderation — or not at all
Avoiding illegal drugs

You should also work closely with an expert, such as Dr. Paliwal, if you have a risk factor or a diagnosed heart condition. He can give you personalized strategies to help you avoid dangerous health complications, such as stroke.

Learn to Think FAST

Finally, it’s crucial to learn the warning signs of a stroke so that you can seek emergency care as quickly as possible. All you have to do is remember to “Think FAST.”

A stroke can impair a person’s ability to speak, think, see, and move. Think FAST stands for the following:

Face: Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Can they lift both arms? Does one drift back down?
Speech: Can they repeat simple things? Do they sound slurred or strange?
Time: Call 911 or seek immediate medical care.

Even if these signs seem mild, it’s essential to contact an expert as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the higher the risk for brain damage, disability, and even death. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially if it could involve a stroke.

Could you be at risk for stroke? To consult with one of our cardiologists, book your visit to the office that is most convenient for you. We have locations in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada.