Unique Stroke Symptoms in Women

In a previous blog I have discussed the need to recognize stroke symptoms rapidly so that an individual can be transported to an approved stroke center quickly and receive treatment within 60 minutes of arrival and hopefully within 3 hours of the onset of the symptoms. The classical symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of your face, arm or leg usually on one side of your body
• Abrupt onset of difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden vision change with blurring, double or decreased vision
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination
• The onset of a severe sudden headache which may be associated with a stiff neck, facial pain, vomiting or pain between your eyes
• Sudden change in mental status or level of consciousness
• Sudden confusion, loss of memory or orientation or perception.

New research shows that women often delay seeking help. It is believed this occurs because women often exhibit different warning signs in addition to the traditional ones. Women having a stroke may exhibit:

•  Loss or consciousness or fainting
• Shortness of Breath
• Falls or Accidents
• Seizures
• Sudden pain in the face, chest, arms or legs