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February 6th, 2014
04:03 PM ET
Stroke: Knowing the warning signs in womenIt wasn't supposed to happen to her. Just 32 and pregnant, Holly Carson woke with a crushing headache. "It was ... like if somebody had a baseball bat taken to (my) head," says Carson. Having some medical training, she immediately suspected she was having a stroke. At 26, med student Lauren Barnes' migraine took a turn for the worse. Then, "I had a rush of pins and needles sensation and tingling throughout the entire right side of my body," she says. Stroke isn't just for the elderly, as Carson and Barnes can attest. Scientists have known for some time that women have some risk factors for stroke that are unique to them and others that are more commonly seen in women than men. To make women more aware, the American Heart Association released the first guidelines for the prevention of stroke in women on Thursday. "Prevention can start when women are very young, during childbearing years," says Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, chair of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association writing group and an associate professor of neurology and stroke director at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Awareness is key, because when it comes to strokes, "time lost is brain lost," according to the AHA. Stroke 101 Stroke recommendations unique to women: Women have certain stroke risk factors that are unique to their sex such as pregnancy, blood pressure disorders brought on by pregnancy, oral contraceptives and postmenopausal hormone use. Many of the new guidelines focus on managing blood pressure, one of the best ways to help prevent stroke. - High blood pressure before pregnancy - High blood pressure during pregnancy - History of preeclampsia Because of these concerns, the new guidelines urge doctors and patients to take this condition seriously, not only by routinely monitoring blood pressure during the childbearing years and beyond, but treating other lifestyle problems early as well such as smoking, high cholesterol and obesity. - Birth control pills - Hormone replacement therapy Risk factors more common in women: - Migraines with aura - Irregular heartbeat Diabetes, depression, and emotional stress are additional stroke risk factors more common in women than men, but because treatment options are similar between the sexes, there are no new recommendations in the stroke guidelines. Carson and Barnes are doing well today because they both recognized the signs of stroke and got help right away. A quick way to learn the warning signs is by remembering F.A.S.T. Stroke can also cause numbness in the face, arms and legs, especially on one side, problems with walking and balance, sudden confusions and problems with understanding, vision problems in one or both eyes and a sudden headache with possible vomiting. Barnes has recovered completely and continues medical school. Carson delivered a healthy baby, but despite rehab still has some limitations. She has little use of her left arm and hand and when people stop to ask her about it she tells them her story and talks about the warning signs. "I've allowed this to be a living message for others. A stoke didn't ruin my life - it changed it," Carson says. |
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
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I often get that tingling feeling in my rh
my right hand. I get these sharp headaches. It just hits me out of nowhere. Sometimes it be so bad
that I can't keep my eyes open.
I also get blurred vision often. I
would think its because I'm tired.
Now maybe its something more.
Can you please tell me your
opinion? Thank you
Tajuana,
It sounds more like possible MS than a pending stroke to me. However, though I've had some medical training, I am not a physician. You should see a doctor for this particular constellation of symptoms though. I wouldn't put it off too long if I were you, either because there are several different things that could be going on here. It's always better to know for sure what's going on with your body. And even if it turns out to be nothing, at least you'll have peace of mind.
What a informative article. Thank you. There is a risk factor for stroke women should be aware of . Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD).
To learn more about FMD, visit FMDSA.org
Thank you for this informative article. Anything stroke related gets my attention. I suffered a stroke last year due to dissections in my verebral arteries. On several occasions I had the pins/needles run across the top of my head. Strangest feeling. But, what does it mean? Lack of blood flow? (That's my guess)
On and off lately my left arm from my shoulder to my finger tips gets tingly then goes numb and both eyes go blurry and I get a bit dizzy. now years go I busted that elbow so all this time I was thinking it was because it never heals correctly until I just looked up the symptoms. should I be worried and get checked or is it just nothing?
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