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Signs & Symptoms of a Stroke in a Woman

About 700,000 people experience strokes in the U.S. each year, according to Harvard Medical School, and strokes tend to be more severe in women than men. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. Most often, this happens when a blood clot blocks an artery; in about 20 percent of cases, a stroke is caused by a burst blood vessel in the brain. In addition to classic stroke symptoms, women may have unique symptoms during a stroke.

  1. Pain and Weakness

    • Numbness and weakness, and possibly pain, can develop in the face or limbs. Numbness and weakness is often limited to one side of the body. Chest pain is a stroke symptom unique to women, according to the National Stroke Association. Women might also experience general weakness all over the body during a stroke.

    Confusion and Speech Difficulty

    • A woman might become confused during a stroke. She might find it difficult to speak and understand what others say.

    Headache and Impaired Vision

    • A severe headache that comes on suddenly can be a sign of a stroke, according to Harvard Medical School. A woman might have trouble seeing, or she might lose her vision altogether. The eyes can become difficult to move during a stroke.

    Dizziness and Loss of Coordination

    • Women commonly experience dizziness and loss of balance and coordination during a stroke. These symptoms, along with numbness and weakness, can cause staggering and make walking difficult.

    Other Symptoms Unique to Women

    • In addition to the usual stroke symptoms, women may also experience hiccups, nausea, shortness of breath and heart palpitations, according to the National Stroke Association.

    Act F.A.S.T.

    • The National Stroke Association offers the "Act F.A.S.T." acronym to help you determine if someone is having a stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for face, arms, speech and time. You should ask someone suspected of having a stroke to smile to see if one side of the face droops, to raise their arms to see if one arm drifts down and to repeat a sentence to see if speech is normal. The “T” for time should help you remember to seek immediate medical attention if any of the symptoms are present.

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