Unique stroke facts for women

One in five women in the United States will suffer a stroke. Nearly 60 percent of people who die of a stroke are women.

The good news: Nearly 80 percent of strokes in women can be prevented.

Stroke, a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States, is a condition not limited to the elderly. It can happen at any time and to anyone. The key to preventing long-term damage is being able to quickly identify and recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

The American Stroke Association developed the acronym FAST to help the public identify a stroke. If you suspect someone might be having a stroke, think FAST:

F - Face ? Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?A - Arms ? Is one arm weak or numb? If they raise both arms, does one drift downward?S - Speech ? Is their speech slurred? Can they repeat a simple sentence correctly?T - Time ? If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

FAST covers the risk factors for stroke that everyone should find familiar, but there are several risk factors and symptoms unique to women:

Risk factors unique to women

High blood pressure raises everyone's risk for stroke; however, high blood pressure during pregnancy increases a woman's risk even more. Although blood pressure often returns to normal after delivery, some increased risk remains.Oral contraceptives can increase a woman's risk, especially if she smokes or has diabetes. However, research indicates that the absolute risk of taking oral contraceptives is low, even lower than a woman's risk of stroke during pregnancy.Hormone replacement therapy, used to treat menopausal symptoms, raises a woman's possibility of stroke.Ethnicity accounts for a higher rate of stroke among black and Hispanic women.

Symptoms unique to women

Women face some unique warning signs that might not be recognized as a stroke symptom:

Loss of consciousness or fainting.General weakness.Shortness of breath.Confusion or disorientation.Sudden behavioral change.Agitation.Hallucination.Nausea or vomiting.Pain.Seizures.Hiccups.

Stroke treatment

Eighty-seven percent of all strokes are identified as ischemic strokes. This means the stroke occurs as a result of a blocked area within a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain.

As we age, plaque builds up in the wall of our carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are located on each side of the neck and supply blood to the brain.

The build-up of plaque in the carotid arteries, also known as carotid artery disease, is a serious issue. Blood clots can form on the plaque. If one of these clots or a piece of plaque breaks loose and travels to the brain, a stroke will occur.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a mini-stroke, should serve as a warning sign that a stroke might occur in the near future. During a TIA, stroke symptoms occur but do not cause permanent damage. If this happens, patients should seek care immediately.

There are two procedures used to treat carotid artery disease: carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting.

Patients with a severe narrowing of the carotid arteries, and those who have experienced TIAs would likely be candidates for one of these procedures.

Before these procedures, a painless test using ultrasound waves is performed to show the blood vessels and measure how fast the blood flows. It also helps determine the location of the blocked area in the carotid artery.

Carotid endarterectomy is a safe form of surgical treatment to remove the plaque in the carotid arteries and help prevent a stroke. The carotid endarterectomy procedure takes approximately 90 minutes to perform. After surgery, patients stay in the hospital for one to two days. The neck incision is so small that patients experience very little pain. In addition, patients usually begin normal activities several weeks after the procedure.

Carotid artery stenting, a minimally invasive procedure, also treats carotid artery disease. A vascular surgeon inserts a long, hollow tube, called a catheter, into the diseased artery through a small incision in the groin. A stent, a tiny metal coil, can then be inserted into the artery to push the plaque aside and improve the blood flow.

Both procedures, the carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting, are performed at McLeod. Vascular surgeons work with the patient to determine the best surgical treatment option.

Having the plaque surgically removed or stented will not stop it from building up again. To prevent the plaque from coming back, patients should consider the following healthy lifestyle changes:

Eat foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories.Exercise regularly, especially aerobic exercise such as walking.Maintain your ideal body weight.Avoid smoking.Discuss cholesterol-lowering medications with your physician.

Dr. Eva Rzucidlo is a board-certified vascular surgeon with additional vascular research fellowship training. She cares for patients at McLeod Vascular Associates in Florence, Hartsville and Cheraw.