Could It Be a Stroke? Warning Signs Every Woman Should Know

By: Ellie Shelp, OTD, OTR/L

Fainted young woman

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and death in women. Women are more likely than men to have a stroke and are more likely to die from one.1 Knowing the warning signs can help you get treatment faster and may save your life.

What are the Risk Factors of Stroke?

Men and women share many common risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and family history. However, women also have additional risk factors that are important to know about. For example, stroke risk can increase during pregnancy, with certain types of birth control or hormone therapy, and for women who have migraines with aura and smoke.2

Related Article: For more information on how to reduce your risk of stroke, click here.

What Are the Warning Signs of Stroke?

Stroke Symptoms

BE-FAST is an acronym that can help you remember the most typical warning signs of stroke.4 Anyone can experience these signs, including women.

  • Balance: Did you suddenly lose your balance or have trouble walking?
  • Eyes: Did you suddenly have trouble seeing, lose your vision, or see double?
  • Face: Does one side of your face feel numb or droop when you smile?
  • Arm: Is one arm suddenly weak or numb? Does one arm drift down when you raise both arms?
  • Speech: Is your speech suddenly slurred? Are you having trouble speaking or understanding what someone is saying?
  • Time: Could this be a stroke? Call 911 right away.

The typical signs of stroke are the same for both men and women. However, women may also experience additional signs that are less obvious and harder to recognize as a stroke. Below are additional symptoms to look for:3

  • Sudden confusion
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Sudden nausea or vomiting
  • Sudden weakness throughout the body
  • Sudden extreme tiredness

What Should You Do If You Suspect a Stroke?

Some signs of stroke can be easy to explain away. You may think you are tired, stressed, or having a normal change in your body; however, sudden changes should not be ignored. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, do not dismiss it. Do the following right away:

  • Call 911. Do not drive to the hospital or wait to see if symptoms resolve. Emergency personnel can start treatment on the way to the hospital. Even if the symptoms go away, call 911. They could be a sign of a TIA, sometimes called a “mini-stroke.”
  • Note the time. Some stroke treatments work best when given within the first few hours.
  • Do not take aspirin (unless a medical professional tells you to). Some strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain. These are called hemorrhagic strokes, and aspirin can make the bleeding worse.

Related Article: For more information on the different types of stroke, click here.

How to Make the Difference

Many strokes are preventable, and stroke treatment can save lives and minimize disability. Share this article with your mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, and other women in your life to help prevent and identify strokes early.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a stroke and needs information or resources related to physical rehabilitation and recovery, visit our stroke rehabilitation page to learn more.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About women and stroke. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-b). Stroke facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
  3. Shajahan S, Sun L, Harris K, et al. Sex differences in the symptom presentation of stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Stroke. 2023;18(2):144-153. doi:10.1177/17474930221090133
  4. Stroke symptoms and warning signs | American Stroke Association. (n.d.). https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms

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