LIVEWELL MINUTE: Women and Strokes
Knowledge of stroke warning signs remains low among U.S. women, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities, according to a 2003 national survey.
Dr. Calvin Hansen, Neurologist, UnityPoint Health Physicians and Clinics says, “Each year about 700,000 Americans have a new or recurrent stroke and nearly 40,000 more women than men die of a stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Yet only one-third of women surveyed said that they felt well informed about stroke. And, though they are at higher risk for stroke, African-American and Hispanic women were less likely to correctly identify the warning signs of stroke than white women.”
It s vital for everyone to know the warning signs of stroke:
- Sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, most often one side of the body
- Sudden numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance/coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Dr. Hansen asys, ”People have different stroke warning signs depending on the part of the brain or circulation that s affected. You may have a headache, or none at all. If you or someone you know is having these signs, call 911 and seek medical help immediately.”
