Strokes Discriminate: Men and Women are Not Equal

For decades, women have been fighting for equal rights with men when it comes to everything from career opportunities to sports. However, there is one area where they are not equal to men and that is stroke – particularly the incidence, risk factors and symptoms.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in women and the fifth leading cause in men. However, men are more likely to experience a stroke at a younger age while the incidence increases as both genders age.

“As we all know, from a physical standpoint, men and women are very different and that impacts when and how they can experience a stroke,” explained James Pacelli, MD, a neurologist with Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Early treatment can make a key difference and it is important that everyone – men and women -- recognize their risk factors.”

Risk Factors

While smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels can impact both men and women, females have a higher incidence of stroke with approximately one in five women experiencing a stroke in their lifetime.

Women’s unique risk factors include:

• Pregnancy – Changes in blood coagulation can lead to blood clots which can restrict blood flow to the brain. High-blood pressure can lead to preeclampsia which doubles a woman’s risk of stroke later in life.

• Oral Contraceptives – Birth-control pills with a higher dose of estrogen have been associated with an increased risk of stroke.

• Migraines – Women who have migraines with the aura and particularly those with other vascular risk factors could be at increased risk.

• Atrial Fibrillation – While an irregular heartbeat puts both men and women at risk, it is more likely to cause a stroke with more severe complications in women.

Symptoms

Early intervention can make a difference in brain loss during a stroke. People may be familiar with F-A-S-T which represents face, arm, speech and time; however, women may experience non-traditional symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sudden weakness or fatigue

• Chest discomfort or pain

• Difficulty thinking, remembering or using judgment

All Penn Highlands Healthcare emergency departments are prepared to identify and treat strokes as quickly as possible. Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Mon Valley are designated Primary Stroke Centers. This certification from The Joint Commission recognizes hospitals that have the infrastructure, staff and training to identify and treat patients with the most complex strokes. In addition, Penn Highlands Elk is certified by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital which it achieved for its dedication to providing stroke care to the community. To learn more, visit www.phhealthcare.org/stroke.