Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in women, killing TWICE as many women as breast cancer! This fact is widely unknown and it would be good if we could spread this information.
This year stroke will kill 55,000 more women than men. Women will have more negative impact on their lives because they live longer and this means more will live alone when they have a stroke and will be more likely to live in a long term care facility after stroke and also to have a WORSE recovery after stroke. For best recovery the affected person needs to get medical attention as soon as possible, within 3 hours. Call 911 ASAP. Do not lie down, rest or wait to feel better.
Women may report symptoms that are different from the common stroke symptoms and this is serious as the stroke may go un-diagnosed or be misdiagnosed. Please familiarize yourself with these symptoms or post them somewhere in your home.
UNIQUE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
Loss of consciousness or fainting
General weakness
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Confusion, unresponsiviness or disorientation
Sudden behavioral change
Agitation
Hallucination
Nausea or vomiting
Pain
Seizures
Hiccups
MORE TRADITIONAL OR COMMON STROKE SYMPTOMS THAT OCCUR IN MEN AND SOMETIMES IN WOMEN
Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
Sudden trouble speaking, confusion or understanding
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Information from Diane Tarr
Brunswick Town DAR Women's Issues Chair
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