RNS, Women & Stroke, May 2005
1:51
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2005/hmstroke.htm
Different strokes: U-M launches study looking at how women and men experience – and react to – strokes
Suggested Lead— What does it feel like to have a stroke? For some people, the ability to speak or walk disappears in a moment. For others, arms, legs and faces suddenly go numb. And for others, it's a rush of confusion or dizziness. But what if you had a stroke and your symptoms weren't typical? Here's Erin Block with more.
Many people might shrug off having pain on one side of the body or nearly blacking out because they don't even think about the possibility of stroke. And, even if they seek treatment immediately after realizing that something is wrong, their description of their symptoms may not make a nurse or doctor suspect a stroke. These factors delay patients from receiving vital therapy, which helps to save lives and prevent long term disability.
Women are more likely than men to have these non-typical stroke symptoms. This difference could help explain why women get to the emergency room too late for stroke treatment, and why they're more likely to die or be disabled by their stroke than men.
Dr. Lynda Lisabeth, Ph.D., a research investigator for the University of Michigan Health System says that part of this problem may be that women have the perception that stroke is a man's disease.
Lisabeth says,
“Currently, I think a lot of women are unaware that cardiovascular disease is their largest health risk. It's important for women to understand that they are also at risk for having a stroke. It's important for both men and women to understand and recognize the warning signs and symptoms of stroke so that they call 911 immediately if they experience any of those symptoms, so that they can get to the hospital very quickly and in time for this therapy.”
Aside from the warning signs and symptoms of stroke such as sudden speech, vision, movement and thinking problems, people should also be aware about the risk factors associated with stroke.
Lisabeth says,
“There are a number of different factors that put someone at an increased risk of having a stroke. They include hypertension, which is probably the most important risk factor for stroke; smoking; diabetes; heart disease; atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat; transient ischemic attacks, which are actually attacks that produce stroke symptoms but the don't last; high cholesterol; physical inactivity, obesity and excessive alcohol intake.”
If you are at an increased risk, take steps to reduce it. Losing weight, stopping smoking, exercising, limiting alcohol and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol can all help a person reduce his or her risk of stroke.
Erin Block, U-M Health System News |
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