The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion.
OVERVIEW
A stroke happens when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Blood carries oxygen to cells in the body. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
In South Africa, stroke is the third leading cause of death after tuberculosis and diabetes. Stroke survivors can be left with disabilities and impairments that affect how they move, speak, think and feel. Four out of five strokes are preventable, however, so it’s important to know your risk for stroke and take action to protect your health.
WHAT PUTS WOMEN AT RISK FOR STROKE?
Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men and are also more likely to die from a stroke.
- High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a main risk factor for stroke. Hypertension is defined as a constant elevated blood pressure (above 140/90). The South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016 found that 46% of South African women over 15 have hypertension.
- South Africans in general consume too much sugar, salt, bad fats, alcohol and tobacco and don’t get quality sleep and sufficient exercise. These poor lifestyle choices contribute to our high rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease – all risk factors for stroke.
- Family history: if your father or brother suffered heart disease or a stroke before the age of 55, or your mother or sister before 65 years, then you could also be at increased risk of heart diseases or strokes.
- Women also have unique risk factors for stroke, including:
- Having high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Using certain types of birth control medicines, especially if they also smoke
- Having higher rates of depression
- Having higher rates of obesity: 68% of women (and 31% of men) in South Africa are overweight or obese
- Having higher rates of diabetes: 41% of women (and 11% of men) in South Africa have diabetes
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M HAVING A STROKE?
Common stroke symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Vision problems
- Trouble walking or a lack of coordination or balance
- Severe headache without a known cause
FIRST AID FOR A STROKE EMERGENCY
A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and it is essential to get to hospital quickly for early treatment. Some treatments for stroke work only if given within the first 3 hours after symptoms start and a delay in treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death.
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B – Balance: is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination?
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E – Eyes: is the person experiencing sudden blurred, double, or loss of vision?
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F – Face: ask the person to smile; does one side of their face droop?
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A – Arms: ask the person to raise both arms; does one arm drift downward?
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S – Speech: ask the person to repeat a simple phrase; is their speech slurred or strange?
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T – Time: time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.
HOW CAN I PREVENT STROKE?
Studies show that women who survive strokes usually recover more slowly than men.
Women are also more likely to experience:
- stroke-related disability
- impaired daily living activities
- depression
- fatigue
- mental impairment
- reduced quality of life
FURTHER READING
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