Stroke is now the fifth leading cause of death in women and an
The CDC reports that 20% of women between the ages of 55-75 will suffer a stroke. Even more alarming is that of the nearly 800,000 people who have a stroke each year, 10-15% are between the ages of 18 and 45, with young women potentially at higher risk than men the same age, according to the American Heart Association.
"Hormonal fluctuations increase your risk of having blood clots, and those blood clots can be anywhere, but if they go to the brain, that's where the risk of stroke is," says Dr. Parag Shah, the medical director at
As employers focus on women's health benefits, they should take heed of these increasing numbers within their workforce, both from a wellness and a financial perspective. Data from the National Institutes of Health shows the average healthcare cost associated with stroke care and recovery exceeds $140,000 per person.
Read more:
Taking steps to maintain good health, regardless of gender, is the best way to prevent a stroke, as certain factors such as high blood pressure, smoking and being overweight can increase the chance of stroke. Promoting a good diet and the right amount of exercise, while encouraging ways to avoid severe stress, are low cost ways for employers to support stroke prevention.
But because a stroke can occur regardless of someone's health status, it is also important to be educated on the warning signs and symptoms and seek treatment quickly, says Shah.
"Typically a person is going to have a new or sudden onset weakness, a change in speech such as slurring, confusion, find it difficult to form words, or have trouble understanding speech," he says. "Some patients experience blurred vision or a sudden onset of headaches. There are a multitude of things that can signal a stroke, and some are subtle and can be overlooked."
Read more:
Dr. Shah shares his advice on lifestyle habits that can help women stay healthy and reduce their risk of stroke, and how employers can play a part.
