10 signs of stroke in women that are easily overlooked

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Risk factors for stroke in women include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, alcohol consumption, stress, and lack of exercise. Therefore, recognizing the warning signs of stroke early can increase the chances of recovery from the disease.

The risk of stroke is increased in women who use birth control pills, use tobacco, use drugs, and in pregnant mothers.

All strokes require treatment as soon as possible. The golden time for emergency treatment of stroke patients is 6 hours from the onset of the disease, the first 3 hours can be considered the golden time.

10 signs to recognize:

1. Your face doesn't react

Your face may feel numb or unresponsive, especially on one side, like when you smile and one corner of your mouth won’t move. This is often the first symptom of a stroke that people notice, according to the CDC. So never ignore this sign, especially if it occurs with the symptoms below, and seek help immediately.

2. You feel unconscious and weak

Your arms will not move as flexibly as usual. This usually happens on one side of your body, in case of stroke, when you lift both arms and hold them for 5 seconds at a 90 degree angle, one arm will fall down. Besides, if the body suddenly feels sluggish, the face becomes red, there is difficulty breathing and palpitations, it is very likely that a stroke is about to happen.

3. Dizziness

Although most heart attacks don't cause you to suddenly lose consciousness, they can reduce or cut off the blood flow that carries oxygen to your heart and brain, which can make you feel dizzy.

4. Body pain

Most stroke symptoms are usually numbness, weakness or tingling without pain, but women may experience a severe headache and pain on the affected side of the body. The headache comes on suddenly, and is sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Another symptom of a stroke is acute pain on one side of the face, one side of the body or in one of the limbs. The pain radiates to the back, shoulder, arm, neck or jaw.

5. Fatigue

Feeling tired after a sleepless night or a stressful day is normal. But more than half of women feel extremely tired or weak about a month before a heart attack.

6. Sweating

Unless you're going through menopause or have just exercised, cold sweats or excessive sweating can signal a heart attack, which activates the nervous system.

7. Nausea

A heart attack can cause nausea, which is twice as likely to occur in women as in men. If you have sudden and persistent nausea that is not related to food, be cautious.

8. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath can be an unusual sign after a stroke has started. Shortness of breath without any history of respiratory problems is a dangerous warning sign that should not be ignored.

9. Continuous hiccups

Usually, hiccups will last for about 30 seconds and stop. But if you have persistent, difficult-to-treat hiccups, it could be a sign of a stroke.

10. You have seizures

Strokes are dangerous because they can quickly cause brain damage – and seizures can be a sign of brain damage. If you have a sudden seizure, see a doctor immediately.