For the first time in ten years, new guidelines for STOKE prevention were released this past week.
I find it interesting that even though 57 percent of strokes occur in women, this is the first time that the American Stroke Association has taken a more comprehensive look at the various risks that are unique to women.
Approximately 800,000 people suffer strokes each year, leading to severe disability for some, and more than 160,000 deaths. A stroke happens when the brain doesn’t receive enough blood flow due to a blockage or sudden bleeding in the brain. Since stroke is classified as heart disease, it’s part of the leading cause of the death in the United States. What’s even scarier, is that people 49 and younger are also suffering strokes, primarily due to the increases in obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
These new guidelines for stroke prevention highlight, for the first time, the risks faced by women, noting that pre-term births and conditions like endometriosis and early menopause can increase the risk for suffering a stroke. The previous guidelines never mentioned or cautioned doctors on any of these risk factors. Now that more information has been collected for sex specific groups, doctors should be better equipped to screening all patients, regardless of gender.
The guidelines also, for the first time ever, caution that trans women and other gender-diverse individuals who take the hormone estrogen for gender affirmation may face a higher stroke risk. Doctors are now asked to screen these individuals for related risk factors.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are particularly critical times, during which the risk of stroke is roughly three times that of nonpregnant adults of the same age. The list of pregnancy related factors linked to stroke also includes high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, stillbirths, babies small for their gestational age, and a condition called placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery.
Women who develop pre-eclampsia, a complication of pregnancy, are also at heightened risk. Preeclampsia may cause high blood pressure and high levels of protein in urine, indicating kidney damage, or other signs of organ impairment. Preeclampsia typically begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had previously been normal. According to the Mayo Clinic, women with pregnancy-related high blood pressure are four times more likely to have a stroke, than pregnant woman without the condition.
Other unique risk factors for women include early menopause (before age 45) and endometriosis, a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. Hormonal contraception that includes both estrogen and progestin, as well as post-menopausal hormone therapy, may also increase stroke risk.
In my upcoming book “Age With Grace and Strength,” I discuss prevention tools and strategies for many age-related diseases. You may be surprised to hear that heart disease, like Alzheimer’s, Osteoarthritis, and joint pain can be prevented or at the very least, you can reduce your pain, through lifestyle changes.
The phrase “lifestyle changes” can often evoke images of hours of grueling aerobics classes and restrictive diets. Basically, a life with no fun.
That’s not true. There are simple isometric exercises that offer many of the benefits those of us over 50 need, as well as enjoyable activities like dance classes, or pickleball, that can be MUCH more effective for you than spending hours running on a treadmill.
It’s also possible to enjoy anti-inflammatory foods that taste delicious. You may have to explore a bit to find recipes that resonate with you, but it can be done! As a bonus, some of my favorite recipes will be included as a gift when you purchase my new book.
In this book, you’ll see that simple changes in your daily routines can make a HUGE difference. I have done loads of research, and have discovered just how to make life fun and healthy, and I can’t wait to share these insights with you when my book launches on Dec. 3rd!
Here’s a sneak peek at the cover for my new book:
I would love your feedback on the cover.
Keep an eye out for book signings with author discussion!
Meanwhile, below is a simple exercise you can start doing today!
Best of Health,
Kathi
