STROKE SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

You may already know about the general warning signs of stroke, but did you know that women sometimes experience different stroke symptoms? Knowing and remembering these stroke signs in women may make a big difference in your own or someone else’s life.

LEARN TO RECOGNIZE STROKE SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

Stroke Symptoms vs. Stroke Risk Factors for Women

It’s important to know that although some may use “stroke symptoms” and “stroke risk factors” interchangeably, they are different:

Stroke risk factors: what can lead to a potential stroke. There are 6 Stroke Risk Factors Women Should Know.
Stroke symptoms: includes “warning signs,” or what someone experiences during an actual stroke.

Both are good knowledge, but symptoms are what we’re covering here.

THINK F.A.S.T.
IN A POTENTIAL STROKE EMERGENCY

F.A.S.T. is an acronym for the common stroke symptoms of both women and men, so it helps to begin by learning these.

BODY NUMBNESS IN WOMEN,
ESPECIALLY ON ONLY ONE SIDE, COULD BE SERIOUS

You may be experiencing a stroke if you get that feeling of a limb “falling asleep,” either in an arm or leg or elsewhere in the body – except that it comes on suddenly and in an unexplainable way, especially if it’s only on one side.

HICCUPS
IN WOMEN COULD MEAN A STROKE

While there usually isn’t a cause for concern when you have hiccups, women who have hiccups and unusual chest pain at the same time may be having a stroke.

EXCRUCIATING HEADACHES
IN WOMEN MAY MEAN A STROKE

There are a lot of reasons women experience headaches, but stroke survivors who report a headache at the onset of a stroke often describe the pain as especially excruciating. Their pain tends to come on suddenly, with no obvious explanation.

UNUSUAL CHEST PAIN
IN WOMEN MIGHT BE A STROKE SYMPTOM

Chest pain may also be a classic heart attack sign, but many women have it during a stroke. For that reason, it may be a good idea to think “stroke” when you experience unusual chest pain, especially if hiccups are also present.

WHEN TO GET HELP

If you’re experiencing even one of these symptoms – or are around someone who is – don’t wait.

Take action at the first sign(s):

dial 9-1-1
tell the emergency dispatcher that you “think someone’s having a stroke.”
try to recall when you first noticed the symptoms for the dispatcher.

That third step helps the 9-1-1 operator and first responders make important decisions that can mean the difference between another stroke death statistic and a heart-healthy life as a stroke survivor.

BE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

While some women may think of stroke as a problem for men, the sobering fact is that it is the fifth leading cause of death in American women – 60% of the 137,000 stroke deaths each year in the U.S. are women. Perhaps even more surprising is that in one study of 1,000 women, a large majority could not identify the female-specific stroke signs or symptoms of a stroke. Incredibly, sometimes even stroke survivors trained to spot the symptoms in others didn’t recognize them in their own experiences.

The reason for this wide gap between the facts and women’s awareness may point to a need for women to learn what these specific stroke symptoms in women are. Arming yourself with this knowledge can make a big difference because as any stroke survivor will tell you, there’s a lot to live forward to.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STROKES

Bayer Low Dose Aspirin bottle next to unmarked prescription bottles

MANAGING RISK:

WHY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS MAY NOT BE ENOUGH

If you take prescription medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, they may not be enough to protect your heart. Talk to your doctor about whether these medications are enough for you and whether adding an aspirin regimen can help further reduce the risk of another heart attack or clot-related (ischemic) stroke.

LEARN HOW ASPIRIN COULD HELP

Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.