Research: Changes in women's lifestyle can lower the risk of stroke.

Every year, 800,000 Americans experience a stroke and 140,000 lose their lives.¹ To provide context, a stroke-related death occurs every four minutes in the U.S.

Although both men and women can suffer fatal strokes, studies indicate that women are at a higher risk of succumbing to one.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in five American women will have a stroke, and nearly six out of ten stroke victims will die from the event. Stroke ranks as the third leading cause of death for American women, following heart disease and cancer.

Fortunately, there is positive news.

Research published in the journal Stroke reveals that significant lifestyle changes can notably lower a woman's risk of experiencing a stroke, even if she is in middle age.²

"A stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain," explained Dr. Clemens Schirmer, a neurosurgeon at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. "The clot obstructs blood flow to the brain, potentially leading to paralysis, aphasia, fatigue, and death."

It's important to note that there is another type of stroke known as a hemorrhagic stroke, where a blood vessel ruptures, causing internal bleeding. However, the majority of strokes - ischemic strokes - involve clots, which is the focus of this discussion.

Overview

"As women age," stated study author Dr. Kathryn Rexrode from the Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Medicine in Boston, MA, "they are more likely to experience a stroke as the initial sign of cardiovascular disease rather than a heart attack."

The average age for a woman's first stroke is 75 years. Therefore, researchers conducting this study proposed that making lifestyle adjustments during mid-life could help reduce the risk of strokes among women.

The researchers analyzed data from the ongoing Nurses' Health Study, a vast database containing health details of nearly 600,000 women who have been participating for an average of 26 years, with most enrolling in their early 50s.

The outcomes were remarkable.

"We discovered that adopting a healthy lifestyle, even in one's 50s, has the potential to prevent strokes," remarked Goodarz Danaei, an epidemiologist at Harvard School of Public Health and another study author.

"Women who made lifestyle changes in mid-life decreased their long-term risk of total stroke by almost 25% and ischemic stroke, the most common form of stroke, by over one-third," added Dr. Danaei.

Primary Lifestyle Change for Stroke Prevention

In the study, researchers investigated the impact of crucial lifestyle modifications on stroke risk, including smoking cessation, engaging in 30 minutes or more of daily exercise, weight loss, and adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet.

Here is a breakdown of the benefits of these changes:

Women who significantly altered their diet alone were 23% less likely to suffer a stroke.

Those who made additional lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and managing weight were 25% less likely to experience a stroke.

While dietary adjustments like consuming more fish and nuts and reducing red meat intake showed positive results, the benefits were slightly less pronounced than those from exercise, smoking cessation, and weight control.

Although this was an observational study involving predominantly white, middle-aged women, Dr. Danaei suggests that other research supports similar findings among men and individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

"There is still much that can be accomplished for your health, even as you age," emphasized Dr. Danaei.

Why Are Women More Prone to and Affected by Strokes?

According to The American Heart Association, several factors contribute to women's increased susceptibility to strokes.³

Women typically outlive men, and since stroke risk rises with age, women generally face a higher risk of stroke. With 75 being the average age for a woman's first stroke, this primarily affects the elderly population, prompting the question, "How long do you wish to live, and what steps are you willing to take in your 50s?"

Additionally, women are more prone to high blood pressure, the most significant stroke risk factor. Early menopause, pregnancy, a history of oral contraceptive use, obesity, diabetes, and sickle cell disease in individuals of color further elevate a woman's stroke risk.

Women falling into one or more of these categories should be vigilant about their heightened stroke risk.

"These women should receive thorough monitoring," cautioned Dr. Rexrode. "They need to understand their elevated risk and be motivated to adopt healthy lifestyle practices to reduce hypertension and subsequent stroke risk."

Another distinction between men and women regarding stroke incidence lies in their symptoms.

Distinguishing Symptoms

Common symptoms shared by both genders include speech difficulties, comprehension issues, a strained expression, confusion, sudden vision or balance problems, abrupt headaches, and sudden numbness on one side of the body.

However, several stroke symptoms are unique to women, including nausea, seizures, hiccups, breathing difficulties, fainting, general weakness, and sudden behavioral changes.

Swift treatment for stroke is crucial, as it can determine the outcome between death or disability and recovery. Immediate administration of clot-busting drugs within three to four hours of a stroke is imperative for a successful recovery.

Prompt treatment is especially vital for women, given findings from the George Institute for Global Health indicating that women experience poorer recovery post-stroke compared to men.

This issue holds significant weight. From a pragmatic standpoint, surviving a stroke could result in severe disability, with some individuals being bedridden and immobile for an extended period. It is a distressing situation, underscoring the importance of altering lifestyle habits to mitigate stroke risk.

Enhancing Overall Health by Reducing Stroke Risk

I have long advocated for healthy lifestyle adjustments, even if you are starting later in life. This study affirms that women, even beginning in middle age, can prevent nearly a quarter of strokes by implementing key measures.

The advantages extend beyond stroke prevention.

Incorporating a balanced diet, regular exercise, weight management, and refraining from smoking not only reduces stroke risk but also diminishes the likelihood of various life-threatening conditions, irrespective of gender.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that high blood pressure stands out as a significant risk factor for fatal COVID-19 cases. A substantial proportion of fatalities, up to 60%, had high blood pressure as a preexisting condition.

COVID-19 is not a distant risk but a present reality, likely to resurge during upcoming seasons and persist for some time. Relying solely on a potential vaccine may not be prudent. Hence, controlling blood pressure can simultaneously lower stroke and pandemic risks.

For further information on strokes, visit www.heart.org. Stay tuned for our forthcoming article on natural methods to reduce high blood pressure.