Seven deadly stroke symptoms that women should never ignore
Health experts have warned women about the easily-missed symptoms of a stroke, as some unlikely warning signs could suggest a medical emergency.
While most people recognise slurred speech and weakness in the face as tell-tale symptoms to watch out for, some stroke signs in women are easier to brush off because they are more subtle.
Vascular neurologist Carolina Vivar from Geisinger explained: “What complicates strokes in women is that they may have some unusual nonfocal neurological symptoms, which means that they may see early signs as something much less serious.”
Around 100,000 people have strokes every year in the UK, and nearly half of all strokes (45%) in women happen past the age of 80, notes the Stroke Association. The devastating condition is one of four leading causes of death for women in the UK.
Assistant professor of neurology Dr Hera Kamdar, at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, has highlighted the seven subtle signs of a stroke that can strike in women, these include:
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Severe headache
Generalised weakness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath and chest pains
Nausea and vomiting
Brain fog
Hiccups.
It’s important to remember the main stroke symptoms using the acronym FAST. The NHS explains this further:
Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped
Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm
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Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them
Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms
The health body adds that it’s important to phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you or someone else is having stroke symptoms. While weakness on one side of the body is a common warning sign, Dr Hera Kamdar claims that it might not be confined to one area in women.
A study from 2019 suggests that women get hiccups when they’re experiencing a stroke as it’s a sign of brain damage to the areas, such as the medulla oblongata, which controls breathing, and the supratentorial cortex, which is involved in the control of movement.
It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a stroke if you experience hiccups or a severe headache, however you should be concerned if the symptoms make it difficult for you to do anything. This can include physically being unable to get out of bed due to extreme tiredness. When it comes to hiccups, you should only be worried if they’re hurting your throat or they are combined with other symptoms, such as vomiting.
Stroke risk factors for women
Scientists believe that hormones affect how men and women experience a stroke differently. Expert in nutritional and metabolic diseases Dr. Adil Maqbool, from Allama Iqbal Medical College in Pakistan, told Healthline that oestrogen has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects, which could contribute to a reduced risk of stroke.
He added: “However, it’s important to note that oral contraceptives, which contain synthetic forms of oestrogen, have been associated with an increased risk of stroke in some cases.” Birth control and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) both contain synthetic oestrogen.
However, research from 2003 found that around 8.5 out of every 100,000 women will experience a stroke because of birth control. Speaking to CNN, neurologist Dr Eliza Miller, at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said: "It’s not that people shouldn’t take birth control, it’s that people with other [stroke] risk factors shouldn’t use this type of contraceptive."
As women age, they make less oestrogen which means they face a higher risk of a stroke as they get older - with almost half happening in those aged over 80. Dr Miller pointed out that young women are also at risk, as pregnancy can triple the chances of a stroke.
This has been linked to pre-eclampsia, which is a blood pressure condition that occurs every one in 25 pregnancies in the UK, highlights the British Heart Foundation. Symptoms of pre-eclampsia can include severe headaches, vision problems and swelling of the face, hands or feet.
Those who experience blood clots during their pregnancy also face a heightened risk of the medical emergency. The NHS has also highlighted other symptoms to keep an eye on, these include:
Complete paralysis of 1 side of the body
Sudden loss or blurring of vision
Being or feeling sick
Dizziness
Confusion
Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Problems with balance and co-ordination
Difficulty swallowing
A sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
Loss of consciousness.
Phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you suspect someone is having a stroke. If symptoms pass, you should still visit the hospital for an assessment.
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