Recognize the Risk Factors for Stroke and Stroke Symptoms

There are many risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, age, family history of stroke, and gender. Unfortunately, strokes affect men and women at any age, not just the elderly. Although more men get strokes than women, the death rate for women is much higher than for men. Women, especially under the age of 55 can have additional risk factors for stroke that may include:

- Having migraines accompanied by flashing spots or blind spots,
- Having diabetes, lupus or other autoimmune diseases,
- Having had a miscarriage or some other clotting disorder,
- Taking birth control pills, even if the pills are low in estrogen, and
- Using hormone replacement therapy.

What symptoms do you need to recognize if you believe that a loved one may be having a stroke? To easily identify common symptoms in both men and women, ask the person to:

1. Smile. Look to see if one side of the face droops.
2. Raise both arms. Does one arm hang downward?
3. Repeat a simple sentence. Are they slurring words? Can they repeat the whole sentence?
4. Do they experience difficulty seeing in one or both of their eyes?
5. Do they experience a severe headache and not know why?
6. Do they have trouble walking or keeping their balance?

Sometimes women may have additional possible stroke symptoms which can include:
- Hiccups
- Nausea
- Face and limb pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- General overall weakness

If you suspect you or your loved one is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Time is a critical factor. The longer you wait, the more serious the consequences.