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Stroke

Get the facts about stroke and women:

  • Some 425,000 women suffer from stroke each year – 55,000 more than men.
  • Only 27 percent of women could name more than two of the six primary stroke symptoms.
  • Seven out of 10 women said they are not aware that they are more likely than men to have a stroke and were not at all, or only somewhat, knowledgeable about risk factors.
  • Black women suffer a significantly higher number of strokes than white women.
  • Stroke is a leading cause of death for Hispanic women.


Unique stroke symptoms in women

Stroke symptoms can be different between men and women. While some of these signs may seem subtle, one common theme is how fast they can occur. Women often experience sudden:

  • Face and limb pain
  • Hiccups
  • Nausea
  • General weakness throughout the body
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Heart palpitations

Common stroke symptoms in both men and women include sudden:

  • Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body
  • Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Trouble seeing through one or both eyes
  • Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause

Learn more about Novant Health's comprehensive stroke care