Women and Strokes
Did you know?
The CDC reports:
- One in five women in the United States will have a stroke in her lifetime
- Stroke is the third leading cause of death for women and kills twice as many women as breast cancer
- African-American women are twice as likely to have a stroke as Caucasian women
- Up to 80% of strokes can be prevented
High blood pressure is one of a number of reasons women are at added risk. To start, one in three women don't even realize they have high blood pressure. In addition, combining high blood pressure with certain other factors – pregnancy, certain types of birth control and smoking – increases the likelihood of a stroke. Women also tend to experience higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress, making them prime candidates for a brain attack.
Reduce the Risk of Stroke
- Know and control your blood pressure.
- If you smoke or use other forms of tobacco, stop!
- If you are diabetic, follow your doctor's recommendations carefully to control your diabetes.
- Ask your doctor to check for atrial fibrillation.
- Lower the sodium (salt) and fat in your diet.
- Include exercise in your daily routine and maintain a healthy weight.
- Control high cholesterol.
Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors and personal goals for healthy living.