The headline is partly accurate but sensationalized. Women can have the classic stroke symptoms, and women may also experience symptoms such as general weakness, confusion or memory problems, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting, which can sometimes be overlooked. (www.stroke.org)
6 signs women over 60 should know
- Sudden weakness or numbness — especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding — speech may become slurred, confused, or difficult.
- Sudden vision changes — blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — difficulty walking or coordinating movements.
- Sudden confusion or unusual disorientation — including difficulty understanding what is happening.
- Sudden severe headache with no obvious cause. (www.stroke.org)
Women can also experience unusual fatigue, nausea/vomiting, or generalized weakness, but these symptoms shouldn’t be used to diagnose a stroke by themselves. (www.stroke.org)
The most important part: act FAST
Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.:
B — Balance loss
E — Eye/vision changes
F — Face drooping
A — Arm weakness
S — Speech difficulty
T — Time to call emergency services
If these symptoms appear suddenly, even if they disappear after a few minutes, seek emergency medical care immediately. A temporary episode can be a TIA (“warning stroke”) and still requires urgent evaluation. (www.stroke.org)
If this is happening to you or someone with you right now, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse—call your local emergency service immediately.
