Hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy
Getty Images

Experts have been debating the safety of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for years. A study from the Women’s Health Initiative suggests that women taking menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen plus progesterone are at an increased risk of stroke. Women who reached menopause early (younger than 45) also had elevated risk. HRT can give relief from the symptoms of menopause – hot flashes and night sweats, for example – but the 2017 Hormone Therapy Position Statement from the North American Menopause Society recommends that doctors follow a patient-specific approach and invite neurologists to assess stroke risk when patients are considering HRT. Learn about the three stages of menopause here.

Advertisement

Stress

Stress
Getty Images

Everyone knows stress is hard on you, and yes – it also raises your risk of stroke. “Some of this effect may be due to increased blood pressure when under stress,” says Dr. Hussain. He recommends exploring stress-management techniques like mindful meditation, yoga, and massage – experiment to find what works for you. Even a daily walk can do wonders for your stress levels and blood pressure. Find out how to teach yourself to meditate to beat stress.

Illicit drug use

Illicit drug use
Getty Images

“Multiple types of illicit drugs can increase the risk of stroke, especially cocaine and amphetamines,” Dr. Hussain says. Amphetamines (a stimulant) are legally prescribed to treat conditions such as ADHD, obesity, and narcolepsy. Studies show an increased risk of stroke in young adults who abuse cocaine and amphetamines. “Cessation of drug use is critically important,” he says. Discover everything you need to know about meth here.

Birth control pills

Birth control pills
Getty Images

Talk to your doctor about the side effects and risks of your birth control pills – depending on your other lifestyle habits, you may be able to switch to a safer type. According to the National Stroke Association: “The greatest concern about using oral contraceptives is for women with additional risk factors, such as age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, or diabetes.” Lifestyle changes such as kicking the habit can help lower the risk. But if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, a different method of birth control or prescription may be necessary. Here are 50 health secrets every woman over 50 should know.

Migraines with aura

Migraines with aura
Getty Images

Heads up, women: According to the National Stroke Association, women suffer more migraines than men – and migraines with aura are the worst kind, bumping up stroke risk two and half times. An aura can be a migraine warning sign, and it comes with some scary symptoms like seeing spots and flashes, feeling numbness in the face, body, or hands, and even having trouble speaking. Work closely with your doctor to treat or modify any existing stroke risk factors. Find out how to survive the 8 different types of migraines.

Risks you can’t control

Risks you can’t control
Getty Images

If a member of your immediate family – parent, sibling, or child – has had a stroke, then you’re at increased risk. That risk climbs higher if the family member was younger than 65 when the stroke hit, points out Dr. Hussain. Also, simply having had a stroke elevates your risk for another. “In particular, the first three months following a stroke is when patients are at increased risk; it declines over time, but anyone who has had a stroke is at higher risk than the general population,” adds Dr. Hussain.

Age

Age
Getty Images

“Age is the most significant risk factor overall for stroke,” Dr. Hussain says. According to the American Stroke Association, the risk doubles for each decade past your 55th birthday. You can’t do anything about aging, says Dr. Hussain, but you can maintain healthy lifestyle habits – and that will help minimise your risk.

Gender

Gender
Getty Images

The numbers are grim for women: Each year, 55,000 more women have a stroke than men, reports the National Stroke Association. “One reason is that women live longer than men, so they have more years during which they can have a stroke,” adds Dr. Hussain. And the outcomes aren’t so wonderful either. “Because women tend to be more likely to be living alone when they have a stroke, they don’t get medical attention as quickly,” he says.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!

Source: RD.com

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: