Stroke is a serious medical emergency that can affect anyone, but did you know that women often experience symptoms that are different from men? While many people associate strokes with obvious signs like weakness, paralysis, or trouble speaking, women may experience more subtle or unusual symptoms. Recognizing these signs early can make all the difference in saving lives and improving outcomes. Here are 10 lesser-known signs of a stroke in women that you should be aware of:
Nausea and Vomiting
While nausea and vomiting aren’t typically linked with strokes, they can occur, especially in women. This happens when a stroke affects brain function and increases intracranial pressure, which may lead to discomfort in the stomach. If nausea is accompanied by other stroke symptoms, don’t wait to seek help.
Sudden, Severe Headache
A sudden, intense headache that feels different from your usual headaches can be a warning sign of a stroke. Women who experience migraines may notice the pain worsening during a stroke. This can also be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light—be on alert if the headache feels unusually severe or sudden.
Shortness of Breath
Struggling to catch your breath or feeling unexpectedly winded can be an uncommon but serious symptom of stroke in women. A lack of blood flow to the brain can impact your respiratory system, causing feelings of suffocation or exhaustion. If this happens along with other stroke signs, seek medical attention immediately.
Loss of Balance and Coordination
Women may experience sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or difficulty staying upright—symptoms that can be mistaken for fainting or general imbalance. If you find yourself feeling “drunk” or disoriented without any alcohol involved, this could signal a stroke, and you should consult a doctor right away.
Mental Confusion or Disorientation
Sudden confusion, difficulty remembering things, or not recognizing familiar people or places may occur during a stroke. Women may experience more subtle cognitive changes, which could be mistaken for stress, fatigue, or aging. However, if confusion seems out of the ordinary or progresses quickly, seek medical advice.
Changes in Vision
Blurry or diminished vision in one eye, or difficulty seeing clearly, can be an early sign of a stroke in women. The stroke may affect the part of the brain responsible for vision. If you suddenly notice changes in your vision—especially if it’s only in one eye—this warrants immediate attention.
Neck or Jaw Pain
Pain in the neck or jaw, particularly if it’s accompanied by nausea, difficulty speaking, or numbness, can be an unexpected sign of a stroke in women. This type of pain can often be mistaken for muscle strain or dental issues, but if it doesn’t go away or is linked to other stroke symptoms, it’s important to act quickly.
Numbness or Tingling on One Side of the Body
While numbness or tingling in the face, arm, or leg is well known as a stroke symptom, in women, it might present more diffusely, such as only affecting one part of the body. A sudden sensation of tingling or partial paralysis that progresses can indicate a stroke, so don’t ignore these changes.
Mood Swings or Sudden Irritability
Stroke symptoms can also affect emotions. Women may experience rapid mood swings or sudden irritability, which might seem out of character. These emotional shifts are often mistaken for stress or hormonal changes but could indicate that the brain is being affected by a stroke. Be mindful of significant, unexplained emotional changes.
Excessive Fatigue and Weakness
Extreme fatigue that comes on suddenly—without any obvious cause—can be a warning sign of a stroke. Women may feel unusually weak or tired, as if they cannot muster the energy to perform basic tasks. If this exhaustion seems different from your usual tiredness, it’s important to check for other stroke symptoms and get medical help if needed.
What Should You Do If You Spot These Signs?
Recognizing the signs of stroke early is crucial, as the first few hours after a stroke are the most important for effective treatment. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, don’t wait—seek medical help immediately. Strokes can be treated with medications or surgical procedures that help restore blood flow to the brain, and treatment is most effective when administered as soon as possible.
Understanding the unique signs of stroke in women can be life-saving. Since women may experience more subtle or unusual symptoms, it’s important to trust your instincts and take action quickly. If you’re ever in doubt, always seek medical attention without delay—early intervention greatly increases the chances of a full recovery.