Rehab

More women than men afflicted by strokes

Rehab Regs, June 23, 2005

Many people believe that strokes affect primarily men, but an increase in their occurance in women is gaining the attention of physicians and researchers, according to the Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) Journal. The American Stroke Association has found that 55% of all strokes and 60% of all stroke deaths occur in women. The fact that risk goes up with age and that women live longer than men accounts for a large portion of that difference. Strokes also affect younger women, including after childbirth when blood is more likely to clot, and women who experience migrane headaches, as well as those who smoke and take oral contraceptives. In addition to classic symptoms like numb extremities and an inability to speak, women also often experience symptoms like a sudden pain on one side of their body, loss of consciousness, or disorientation, reported the Journal.

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