Raising Awareness for Strokes in Women 

By Shelby T. Lauren Vv.

Strokes are caused when oxygen is reduced or blocked from part of the brain or a blood vessel bursts or leaks, causing bleeding in the brain. Ischemic strokes make up 87% of all stroke cases. These strokes occur when oxygen is reduced or blocked from parts of the brain. This prevents the brain tissue from receiving nutrients. Brain cells are very susceptible to loss of oxygen and may start dying after just minutes without oxygen. This symptom causes brain hypoxia, the loss of consciousness that results in a comatose state. This rapidly causes severe brain damage or death. It is rare to recover from severe cerebral hypoxia fully, but patients with a mild case of brain hypoxia may make a full or partial recovery. 

Hemorrhagic strokes are the most dangerous type of stroke and make up 13% of all stroke cases. These strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or leaks, leading to bleeding in the brain. This causes increased pressure, damaging brain cells and tissue. There are two types of hemorrhagic strokes: intracerebral hemorrhagic strokes and subarachnoid hemorrhagic strokes. Intracerebral hemorrhagic strokes occur when there is bleeding inside the brain. Subarachnoid hemorrhagic strokes occur when there is bleeding in the inner and outer layers of the brain tissue. These types of strokes are the most dangerous because the symptoms could worsen quickly. High blood pressure is a hereditary disease and is the number one cause of a ruptured vessel in the brain. 

Transient Ischemic Attacks, also known as TIA or mini-strokes, are caused when blood flow to the brain is briefly blocked. These types of strokes are considered warning strokes, as most people who experience a TIA are at high risk of having a full stroke in the next six months to a year. One in five people who experience a mini-stroke have a stroke, heart attack, or die in the next year. Although Transient Ischemic Attacks are brief, they still require immediate medical attention to help prevent another TIA or a stroke in the future. 

The stroke symptoms in men and women are different. There are many signs people are told to look out for if they think they are having a stroke, such as numbness or weakness in arms or legs, especially on one side of the body, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and trouble walking or lack of coordination. However, these symptoms only apply to men. Women's stroke symptoms may present differently than men’s stroke symptoms when going through an acute ischemic stroke. Women may show non-traditional symptoms such as general weakness, fatigue, mental status change, or disorientation. Women may experience earlier signs of strokes but brush them off because they are unaware that they may be stroke symptoms as women experience non-traditional stroke symptoms. 

Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in women. Women are at higher risk of stroke; these factors are the reason for this: the risk of strokes increases with age, and women tend to live longer than men, raising the risk of strokes. Women between the ages of 55 and 75 are at the highest risk of stroke. High blood pressure is the leading cause of ruptured blood vessels in the brain. Over 44% of women suffer from high blood pressure, putting them at increased risk of strokes. Women suffering from the condition of preeclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy, doubles the risk of strokes. During pregnancy, there are changes in the coagulation system that put women at increased risk of stroke. Oral contraceptive pills that include a high dosage of estrogen are associated with higher risks of strokes. 

African American women are more likely to have high blood pressure. ⅗ have high blood pressure, which is a big difference between white women. Higher rates of obesity cause strokes, and 3 ⁄ 5 African American women are obese. Obesity can cause diabetes, and 1⁄8 of the population of African American women have diabetes. 1 ⁄ 8 of women smoke, putting a dent in their health. All of these factors put them at high risk for strokes. Sickle cell disease is more common in African Americans, and 1/365 African American children are born with sickle cell disease, as it is genetically passed on. It causes blockage of blood flow, making it a significant risk of strokes. Hispanic women also have a considerably higher risk of strokes as well. Hispanic women have the most elevated blood pressure 1⁄3 of Hispanic women have higher blood pressure. They have an increased risk of diabetes 1/9, which is caused by ½ of the population having obesity.

Men are at more risk of having strokes, and this is why it's associated with them. More women die from strokes, though. Women don't get the medical care they need or don't know they are having a stroke. Women are less knowledgeable about their risk factors and don't perceive themselves as at risk for a stroke. Every year, stroke causes twice as many deaths in women as deaths due to breast cancer. It's perceived as an issue for men when the women don't know to worry about it. Uneducated and under-seen issues of strokes becoming the leading cause of death. Every woman gets scanned for breast cancer and is told by their doctors to be worried the same way men are informed and examined for strokes. Women need to be educated on the topic because I bet that the deaths could be half the deaths.

Preventing strokes is not easy, but there are some treatments available to stroke patients. Some treatments for Ischemic strokes include blood clot dissolution and the blood clots that cause Ischemic stroke. This medicine is taken immediately during the stroke or any time after until 4.5 hours have passed. Aspirin, this medication is given to stroke patients after an Ischemic stroke to help prevent another blood clot from forming. Anticoagulants and long-term medicines are offered to people at high risk for blood clots. This medication is given to people with irregular heartbeats, people who have a history of blood clots, or people who developed a blood clot in their legs after a stroke left them unable to move their legs. 

Many factors affect your chances of getting a stroke, especially when making unhealthy or healthy choices. Be aware of your heart and brain health. Taking medicines such as Aspirin prevents blood clots if they are common. Ask your doctor if this medicine would benefit you, and take it as directed. Making healthy choices affects your blood pressure in positive ways. If your doctor recommends medication or treatments, take them as directed. Healthy decisions also affect your cholesterol in positive ways. If instructed by your doctor, take medicine if advised. Making lifestyle changes will help you deal with any prior health problem. Choosing foods with less salt or sodium will lower your blood pressure, and foods rich in fiber and whole grains will help manage your cholesterol. Regular physical activity will help you reach and maintain a healthy weight and keep your heart and blood vessels healthier. Work with your doctors to better understand your health or stroke risks. Getting other health conditions under control, such as diabetes or heart disease, will help minimize your chance of stroke. 

In conclusion, strokes are a hazardous condition that many people worldwide suffer from, and it is essential to maintain healthy life choices to lessen the chance of getting a stroke. Many factors affect the likelihood of getting a stroke, so it is necessary to check with a doctor to discuss if you are at risk. Women have different stroke symptoms, so clinics must be readily available for all women at high risk of strokes. Everyone should have equal access to medical knowledge and be properly educated on the stroke symptoms of all genders. 

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