An Introduction to Strokes in Women
Many women think
strokes are a man's problem. But a stroke is very much a woman's problem. In fact, about half of all strokes occur in women, and 60 percent of all stroke deaths occur in women. This means that over 100,000 women a year die from a stroke.
Fortunately, there are things that women can do to decrease their risk for having a stroke.
Women and Stroke: Understanding Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. In both of these situations, brain cells can die.
There are two types of stroke:
ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when not enough essential oxygen- and nutrient- rich blood is able to get to certain parts of the brain for a long enough period of time that brain tissue is damaged. In most cases, this lack of blood supply occurs because a blood vessel becomes severely narrowed or blocked.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when there is bleeding into or around the brain. This most often occurs from long-standing damage as a result of
high blood pressure. A hemorrhagic stroke can also be caused by an aneurysm, which is a thin or weak spot in an artery that balloons out and can burst.
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