Women have a higher stroke (brain) mortality rate than men. In the language of the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) “more women than men die from stroke each year”. Six out of 10 who die due to stroke are women.
While one in six persons faces the risk of a stroke the risk is higher for women with one in five facing risk of stroke after menopause.
Senior Consulting Neurologist Major General S. Kumaravelu, heading an exclusive brain stroke unit in the city, says that the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) made women the focus of its stroke campaign this year. The theme for the World Stroke Day observed on October 29 is “I am Woman: Stroke affects me”.
Stroke is the second leading cause of death for persons aged 60 years or more, even in a developed country like the USA, and the third leading cause of disability – adjusted life – worldwide.
There are quite a few reasons for the higher incidence of stroke in women, says Dr Kumaravelu. Migraine and depression, the incidence of which was known to be higher in women, were forerunners to stroke. Several changes that occur in the bodies of women during and after pregnancy also make them more susceptible to stroke. Oral contraceptives, the most common form of contraception in use by women, also increased the risk. Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heart beat) which increased the risk of stroke also more common in women than in men.
Giving statistics, Dr Kumaravelu says that 60 per cent of the stroke victims who die are women
He says women are the care takers of the entire family, but there is usually no one to rush them within the stipulated time of three hours to a proper Stroke Unit. The new campaign with women as focus would continue till 2016, Dr Kumaravelu said.
Graphic points
Care takers of family
The theme for the World Stroke Day observed on October 29 is “I am Woman: Stroke affects me”.
Several changes that occur in the bodies of women during and after pregnancy make women more susceptible to stroke
Oral contraceptives increase the risk
Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heart beat) is more common in women than in men
‘Sixty per cent of the stroke victims who die are women’
Dr Kumaravelu,
Senior Consulting Neurologist
