Knowing the Symptoms of Stroke: Many Women can't Spot the Warning Signs

Statistics show that stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, nearly 130,000 Americans die from this health issue each year. That's 1 of every 19 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Yet a recent report examines how many women are often unfamiliar with the symptoms of stroke.

"This lack of recognition of stroke signs and symptoms could be a significant barrier to reducing death and disability related to stroke in the United States," said Lori Mosca, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., principal investigator of the study. "This is critically important because delays in getting care costs lives and hinders functional recovery."

For the findings, researchers interviewed 1,205 American women via telephone in 2012. The survey asked various stroke symptoms, with all participants age 25 and up. Fifty-one percent of the women recognized sudden weakness or numbness on one particular side of the face, legs, arms or other parts of the body, 44 percent stated that they may have difficulty speaking, 23 percent said a sudden intense headache could signal signs and lastly, 20 percent noted unexplained dizziness.

Unfortunately, a quarter of the participants, coming from white, black, Hispanic and other ethnic backgrounds, were unable to note any stroke-related symptoms. 

Yet 84 percent of the women noted that in early detection of possible symptoms, getting the proper care in a timely matter is essential to survival following stroke, as well as recovery.

As stroke typically affects more women than men, it's important to know the symptoms.

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More information regarding the study can be found via the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.