Symptoms of stroke different for women

Women partake of the same controllable risks for developing a stroke, including  tobacco use, obesity, inactivity and high blood pressure as men, yet few are aware that strokes strike women in about equal numbers and that the warning signs of a stroke are different for women.

A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. A stroke can cause brain cells to die and may cause loss of speech, memory or movement. The most common type is an ischemic stroke, which is caused by a clogged artery (atherosclerosis) or a blood clot.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, and blood bleeds into the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by a thin or weak spot (aneurysm) in an artery that balloons out and can burst.

Different studies, including one by the National Stroke Association in the U.S. and one by Michigan State University, found that many Americans can’t recognize symptoms of stroke and don’t treat stroke as an emergency.

Do you know the warning signs of stroke?

Women need to recognize the symptoms of a stroke or heart attack so they can seek immediate and appropriate treatment. “Stroke must be treated in the first 3 hours,” according to neurologist Janet Jankowiak, MD, author of “Brain Attack: Dial 911,” published by the American Academy of Neurology. “Certain medications to treat stroke must be used within the first 3 hours, so early arrival to the emergency department is critical.”

The common symptoms of stroke in both men and women are:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs
Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
Sudden loss of vision in half the visual field
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Subtle differences in stroke warning signs for women:

Sudden face and arm or leg pain
Sudden hiccups
Sudden nausea
Sudden tiredness
Sudden chest pain
Sudden shortness of breath
Sudden palpitations.

The symptoms of stroke appear suddenly and often there is more than one symptom at a time. Experts advise that people should seek help at the first signs of a heart attack or stroke, and call a health professional or an ambulance immediately.

For more information:

American Academy of Neurology Patient Page: Brain Attack: Dial 911 American Heart Association: Women, Heart Disease and Stroke

National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Know Stroke National Stroke Association’s Complete Guide to Stroke

The National Women’s Health Information Center: womenshealth.gov