Guidelines Focus on Stroke Risk for Women

Women face a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men. And they have unique health issues that can increase their risk of stroke. Recognizing all of this, experts have published the first set of stroke prevention guidelines for women. The new advice comes from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. Many of the same health conditions increase risk for both women and men. Both need to control blood pressure, cholesterol and weight. Both can decrease risk by avoiding smoking and diabetes. But the guidelines note that women’s risk of stroke also is affected by pregnancy and hormones. Women should pay attention to their blood pressure before deciding on birth control or getting pregnant, the guidelines say. Taking birth control pills can increase the risk of stroke, especially for women with high blood pressure.