Stroke epidemic among middle-aged women

CLEVELAND -- Dr. Cathy Sila is a neurologist at University Hospitals. She's on a mission to educate women about their risk for stroke and how their weight may play a significant role in that risk. 

She says there is a stroke epidemic happening in the U.S. and it's affecting middle-aged women. Two thirds of fatal strokes occur in women, but the rate of stroke in middle-aged women has tripled in the last decade.

Studies show the obesity epidemic may be a factor as to why.  Women who are diabetic, have high blood pressure, cholesterol and a family history are at significant risk. Those who are obese and carry their weight around the waist are also candidates for stroke.

40-year-old Venetta Perry suffered a stroke in January. She had no idea it was her second. She had a debilitating headache the day before and believes that's when it started. The next day, her face was paralyzed and drooping. Also, her speech was slurred. 

She went to University Hospitals' emergency room where doctors performed a CAT scan. The scan showed nothing and she was released to return home, but Venetta refused.  A UH neurologist then ordered an MRI and it showed the stroke in the center of Venetta's brain. 

Venetta knew she was at risk for stroke. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2001, she has high blood pressure and cholesterol, and a family history of stroke. She wasn't routinely taking her medication and she was overweight. She learned in the hospital how those factors made her a prime stroke candidate. 

Venetta now has her health under control. She takes her medication, walks daily and changed her eating habits. Those efforts helped her lose 40 pounds. She's fully recovered from the stroke. 

Symptoms of stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body. 

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

Learn more about stroke by clicking on the link below.  Watch the video clips to see Monica Robins' story and hear Dr. Sila explain more about risks specific to women and prevention. 

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