Central Carolina HEALTH - Summer 2011 - (Page Cover3)

Women and stroke Learn about the stroke risks they face—including ﬁve risk factors that men don’t Though we may not hear about it as much or as often as other health issues, stroke is a serious concern for women. In fact, more women than men suffer strokes each year: 425,000 compared with 370,000. And stroke kills twice as many women each year as breast cancer. African-American women have more strokes than Caucasian women, and stroke is the No. 1 cause of death for Hispanic women. Jeanette Wood, RN at Central Carolina Hospital, says, “Because stroke affects so many women, it is important to be familiar with the signs of stroke and seek medical help quickly. Women and men experience many of the same symptoms, including sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, confusion, difficulty speaking, problems with vision, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, or severe headache for no known cause. But other telltale signs of a stroke that are unique in women include the rapid onset of hiccups, nausea, fatigue, chest pain, face and limb pain, shortness of breath or heart palpitations.” Think—and Act—Fast! Call 911 If a stroke occurs, call 911 immediately. Strokes caused by blood clots can be treated with clot-busting drugs such as tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator. But to be effective, the medication must be administered within three hours of the initial onset of symptoms. “Call 911. Do not drive the person to the hospital. Let the paramedics begin the necessary treatment as soon as they arrive, ” says Jeanette Wood, RN at Central Carolina Hospital. Understanding a Woman’s Risk For both women and men, stroke risk increases with age. In fact, the chances of having a stroke double for every 10 years after age 55. Other risk factors include a family history of stroke, high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, being overweight and not exercising. Women, however, also have some exclusive risk factors for having a stroke, which include: p Taking birth control pills* p Experiencing natural changes in the body during pregnancy that increase blood pressure and put stress on the heart p Using hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of menopause p Being postmenopausal and having a waist that is larger than 35.2 inches and a triglyceride level higher than 128 milligrams per liter p Being a migraine sufferer *Taking birth control pills is generally considered safe for young, healthy women. Birth control pills can, however, raise the risk of stroke in some women who are older than 35, smoke or have diabetes or high blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Do Your Part for Prevention Take an active role in preventing stroke: R Monitor your blood pressure. R Don’t smoke. R Get tested for diabetes. R Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. R Limit alcohol. R Maintain a healthy weight. S U M M E R 2 0 1 1 | 15 Jeanette Wood, RN, clinical quality coordinator

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Carolina HEALTH - Summer 2011

Central Carolina Health - Summer 2011
Table of Contents
Healthbeat
Fit for Life
Help When They're Hurting
Health Smart
Q+A
Women and Stroke

Central Carolina HEALTH - Summer 2011