Causes And Risk Factors For Strokes In Women

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills were first linked to strokes during a study published in 1962. According to The World Health Organization, women who use higher estrogen oral contraception, but not lower estrogen forms, have a forty percent increased risk of ischemic stroke, which is the type of stroke present in eighty-five percent of all strokes. Research shows some oral contraception may increase the risk of blood clots, which may cause a stroke. Women who smoke, have high blood pressure, and experience migraines may want to talk to their doctor about other forms of birth control in order to mitigate their risk as much as possible.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a term used to describe irregular heartbeat. According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation increases the risk of an individual experiencing a stroke five times over the general population. An irregular heartbeat may cause blood to pool, which increases the risk of a blood clot. Blood clots block off the blood supply to the brain, causing an embolic or cardioembolic stroke. The American Heart Association suggests one good way to lower the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke is to reduce the number of caffeine beverages consumed in a day.