The American Heart Association has released a new set of guidelines to help women reduce the risk of stroke. While both men and women at at risk, women are more likely to die from strokes.
Stroke is currently the fifth most common cause of death for males. However, women face even higher risks from stroke and it is the third most common cause of death for women. Experts also believe that the difference between the number of incidents of strokes between men and women will further increase in the future. In the coming years, more women will be affected by the problem.
To help women reduce the risk of experiencing strokes, the American Heart Association presented a series of recommendations in the new guidelines. The guidelines discuss the common risk factors, including reproductive factors and metabolic syndrome.
"The aim of this statement is to summarize data on stroke risk factors that are unique to and more common in women than men and to expand on the data provided in prior stroke guidelines and cardiovascular prevention guidelines for women," said the American Heart Association. "This guideline focuses on the risk factors unique to women, such as reproductive factors, and those that are more common in women, including migraine with aura, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and atrial fibrillation."
The recommendations listed in the guidelines include regular blood pressure checks before taking birth control medications; regular medical consultations regarding blood pressure during pregnancy; regular exercise; screening for atrial fibrillation in women over 75; and a balanced diet low in saturated fats.
The American Heart Association also recommends that women should avoid exposure to smoke, food with high salt content, and too much alcohol.
The guidelines were compiled by an expert panel chosen by the American Heart Association. Panel members include experts in relevant areas and were chosen by the association's committee chair.
"We provide current evidence, research gaps, and recommendations on risk of stroke related to preeclampsia, oral contraceptives, menopause, and hormone replacement, as well as those risk factors more common in women, such as obesity/metabolic syndrome, atrial fibrillation, and migraine with aura," said the American Heart Association.
