Five Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Strokes

Our family has a history of strokes. This fact really hit home when my grandmother had a massive one. It left me wondering what exactly a stroke was, how to prevent one, and why this affected the women in my family more than the men.

According to the FDA Office of Women's Health, strokes are not discriminate; close to the same number of women have strokes as men. Strokes do not discriminate by race or age either, though adults over the age of 40 are most likely to have a stroke.

What follows are five things everyone should know about strokes, not just women, or those with a family history of strokes.

What is a Stroke? When the brain does not receive enough blood, a stroke occurs. This can be attributed to causes such as a blood clot or an artery bleeding near the brain. A stroke can kill brain cells and alter a person's ability to speak, walk, or perform other everyday functions.

The Signs of a Stroke. While no one person experiences exactly the same symptoms of a stroke, there are several identified warning signs:

Numbness in face area

Numbness in arms or legs

Weakness in arms or legs

Partial or full loss of sight in eyes

Dizziness or loss of inertia

Difficulty talking

Difficulty listening or comprehending what others are saying

Sudden, extreme headacheA Stroke is an Emergency. Do not ignore the warning signs of a stroke in yourself or your loved ones. A call to 911 in the case of a suspected stroke is prudent. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are new treatments available to reduce the damage caused by a stroke. Arriving at the hospital within sixty minutes of the symptoms increases your chance of preventing permanent damage.

You Can Reduce Your Risk of a Stroke. You may not be able to alter your family history or genetics, but you can take measures to reduce your risk of having a stroke through various means. Among the most effective are:

Check blood pressure regularly. People with high blood pressure are at higher risk of having a stroke.

Quit your smoking habit. Smoking has been determined to increase high blood pressure and aid in the formation of blood clots. Kicking the habit can help lower your risk of having a stroke.

Participate in a regular exercise routine. A daily exercise routine will help to keep your heart healthy and your blood flowing.

Eat a balanced diet. Keeping your weight down and maintaining a healthy diet decreases your chance of a stroke as well as other heart-related problems such as high cholesterol. Where to Find More Information about Strokes. For the most up-to-date information and new developments in the treatment of strokes, visit the National Stroke Association website at http://www.stroke.org You will also find a special section for Women and Stroke there, along with instructions on how to order a free Women in Your Life booklet.