Stroke: The #3 Cause of Death for Women- How to Lower Your Risk Today

Every year, stroke kills more women than men. It is the third leading cause of death for women, resulting in more deaths than breast cancer. Data from the American Heart Association highlights how common strokes are in women, with one in five women between the ages of 55 and 75 having a stroke during their lifetime.

The risk of stroke in women is projected to rise significantly in the next few decades, increasing from 4.1% to 6.7% by 2050. This increase will affect younger women between the ages of 20 and 40 as well as older women and will be driven by a number of factors, including an increase due to women of all ages having high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, as well as the aging U.S. population.

Unfortunately, many women are not aware that stroke is a significant health risk for them. They also are not aware of what factors increase their risk and do not know the early warning signs of stroke, which is important because getting treatment quickly can have a positive impact on your outcome and even be lifesaving.

What causes a stroke?

A stroke happens when part of the brain is suddenly deprived of the blood and oxygen it needs. There are two main types—ischemic and hemorrhagic—each with different causes and implications.

Ischemic stroke: Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked or severely narrowed, limiting blood flow. This can happen when:

• Atherosclerosis causes fatty deposits to build up inside the vessel walls.
• Blood clots form elsewhere in the body and travel to the brain, where they become lodged.

Ischemic strokes are the most common type, accounting for about 87% of all strokes.

Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in or around the brain. The accumulating blood compresses nearby brain tissue and disrupts normal function. This bleeding can occur:

• Within the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage)
• Between the brain and the surrounding tissue layers (subarachnoid hemorrhage)

A less common cause is the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)—an abnormal tangle of blood vessels. Hemorrhagic strokes make up about 13% of all strokes.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA): A TIA—often called a “mini‑stroke”—happens when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly reduced. Symptoms resemble those of a stroke but resolve without causing permanent damage. Even so, a TIA is a medical emergency. It may signal:

• The early stages of a stroke
• A significantly narrowed or blocked artery
• A higher risk of a future stroke

Immediate evaluation is essential to identify the cause and reduce the risk of a more serious event.

Factors that increase a woman’s risk of stroke

There are a number of medical conditions and lifestyle factors that may increase stroke risk among women. These include:

Pregnancy related factors

• Being pregnant (Pregnant women are three times more likely to have a stroke than non-pregnant women who are the same age.)

• A history of high blood pressure before pregnancy
• Preeclampsia (Having preeclampsia during pregnancy doubles the risk of stroke later in life.)
• Gestational high blood pressure and/or diabetes during pregnancy

• Having a low birth weight baby

• Recurrent pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation

Chronic conditions and diseases

• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Carotid artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Sleep apnea
• Atrial fibrillation (This condition, which is more common in women over 75 than men, increases stroke risk five-fold.)
• Migraine headaches, accompanied by the perceptual disturbance, known as an aura
• Systemic lupus erythematous and antiphospholipid syndrome, a clotting disorder
• Sickle cell disease

Other factors

• A history of smoking and second hand smoke exposure
• Lack of physical activity/sedentary lifestyle
• Excessive alcohol use
• High fat, high sodium diet
• Use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, especially for women with other stroke risk factors

Updated guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recently added more conditions that are associated with an increase in women’s stroke risk, including:

• Premature childbirth
• Endometriosis
• Menopause before age 45
• Premature ovarian failure before 40

In addition, African American women face an increased stroke risk, with stroke being the leading cause of death for this group.

Know the stroke symptoms that are more common in women

The general, and better known, symptoms of a stroke include:

• Confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
• Weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg usually on one side of the body
• Severe headache, often described as the worst headache of your life
• Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
• Coordination problems that affect walking and balance

In addition to these symptoms, women who are having a stroke may also experience:

• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Fatigue
• Severe hiccups

Proactive steps to lower your stroke risk

According to CDC data, four out of five strokes are preventable. While there are risk factors that you cannot control—such as age, race, and family history—there are steps you can take to lower your risk of stroke:

• Control blood pressure: Nearly 50% of American adults have high blood pressure. Talk with your healthcare provider about strategies to manage blood pressure effectively.
• Manage heart disease: Conditions such as heart failure, congenital or acquired heart defects, heart infections, and rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation can increase stroke risk. Following your provider’s treatment plan is key to reducing complications.
• Quit smoking: Talk with your provider about how to quit. Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide and nicotine, which damage the heart and blood vessels and increase stroke risk. Secondhand smoke also increases stroke risk.
• Manage diabetes: Keeping blood glucose levels within the recommended range helps protect blood vessels and reduces stroke risk. Get recommended blood tests to monitor your blood glucose levels and take your medications to control blood sugar levels.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight is linked to higher stroke risk. Your healthcare provider and health advisor can help you build a plan to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Be active: Get 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. One recent study found that even small increases in physical activity decreased stroke risk.
• Eat a heart healthy diet: Limit saturated and trans fats, added sugar, and sodium and choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein.
• Manage sleep apnea and get adequate sleep: Sleep apnea can cause low oxygen levels while sleeping and raise blood pressure, increasing stroke risk. By getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, which contributes to stroke risk.
• Limit alcohol and don’t use recreational drugs: Drinking more than one serving of alcohol for women can raise blood pressure, stroke risk, and increase triglyceride levels, contributing to atherosclerosis. Some recreational drugs have also been closely linked with stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

Connect with PinnacleCare

For more information about how PinnacleCare’s Health Advisors could assist you with stroke and other cardiovascular support, connect with us today.

Updated May 19, 2026

Top FAQs About Stroke Risk in Women: Symptoms, Prevention, and Causes

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