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Stroke risk for women

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While we're all at risk for stroke, women are more in danger. Why?

It's been identified as the second biggest killer of women in South Africa. About 150 women in SA suffer a stroke every day. 

Brain attack

Stroke is also called a “brain attack”. It happens when an artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain bursts or becomes blocked by a blood clot. This interruption of blood to the brain can damage or kill brain cells. Depending on where this happens in your brain, the damage can have different effects on your body.

Strokes affect different people differently. Overall, a stroke can affect the way you think, feel and communicate. 

Women at risk

  • Women are more likely than men to have high blood pressure. One in three women in South Africa has high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke. This partly explains why women suffer more strokes.
  • Up to 70 percent of South African women are overweight or obese. Obesity is a risk factor for stroke, and has been linked to diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol; all of which elevate stroke risk.
  • Smoking is a growing problem among women in South Africa. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA, smoking is more dangerous in women than in men, and has been shown to more than double the risk of having a stroke.
  • Birth control pills may increase blood pressure. As mentioned above, high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke.
  • Pregnancy complications (diabetes during pregnancy) and pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) can up a woman’s risk for stroke.
  • Hormonal changes and using hormone replacement after menopause can increase the risk of stroke in women.  

Women are also more likely to suffer from migraines with aura, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), depression, and emotional stress. These problems have been shown to increase stroke risk significantly. 

Death by stroke 

The prevalence of stroke deaths in SA is quite similar for men and women in the young and middle-aged categories. After the age of 65 though, almost twice as many women die from strokes. A possible explanation is that many women suffer from strokes at a later age when it is more deadly. Women also tend to live longer than men, which gives them more time to accumulate more risk factors. Another possible factor is that women are more likely to be living alone and widowed before a stroke, often lacking the emotional and social support needed for recovery.

Stop stroke

The good news is that there are factors we can control. Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented with better lifestyle choices. This means:

  • Following a balanced diet.
  • Quitting smoking.
  • Getting (and staying) active.
  • Managing stress.
  • Managing your blood sugar level if you’re diabetic, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

The numbers game

Also important is getting to know your health numbers. This means your blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and waist size. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for strokes, yet most people are unaware of it. Go for regular blood pressure check-ups (and general health tests for that matter), and watch your your salt intake.  

Recognise a stroke, save a life

  • FACE: sudden facial drooping or a lack of mobility on one side of the face. Ask the person to smile or show their teeth. Does one side droop down? 
  • ARMS: sudden weakness in one or both arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down? 
  • SPEECH: sudden abnormal speech or the slurring of words. Ask the person to repeat any sentence. Is there any trouble speaking or understanding? 
  • TIME: if you notice any of these symptoms, time is of the essence. Move quickly. 

Act FAST

If someone experiences any of the symptoms of stroke, this should not be ignored as this might point out a serious underlying condition that won’t go away without medical help. Get medical help as soon as possible. You could save a life.  


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