Women and Stroke

The Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease recognizes thegender disparity in strokeas a health crisis. To bridge the gap, we are providing educational resources and innovative research tosupport women in the stroke fieldandadvance care for female stroke patients.

Quick Links On This Page:

• Women's Health and Stroke
• Women in the Stroke Professional Field
• Women Leaders in the Stroke Field

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Women's Health in Stroke

Did you know?

• 1 in 5 American women between the ages of 55 and 75 are at risk for stroke (CDC)
• About 60 percent of stroke deaths occur in females compared to 40 percent in men (AHA)
• Stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer (CDC)

These facts are alarming, but the good news is something can be done to reduce the risk of stroke for women.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. In either case, the brain is starved of oxygen and its cells begin to quickly die. There are three types of stroke: ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Ischemic stroke is more common and is caused by a clot. Hemorrhagic stroke is when the blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain. Transient ischemic attacks are temporary clots but are just as emergent as the other types of stroke.

Why are women at risk for stroke?

Women have unique risk factors, such as birth control medication, pregnancy and menopause, that put them at a higher risk for stroke. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the main leading causes for stroke.

How can I prevent stroke?

Prevention starts with keeping your medical conditions in control and practicing healthier lifestyle habits. A helpful guide is to follow your "ABCS".

Afor Ask Your Doctor to determine what medications, treatments and services work best for you

Bfor Blood pressure – monitor your blood pressure levels routinely

Cfor Cholesterol – manage your cholesterol

Sfor Smoking – refrain from smoking

Helpful Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Women and Stroke
• Stroke.org: Women Have a Higher Risk of Stroke
• Healthline.com: 16 Symptoms of Stroke in Women: Treatment and Prevention

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Women in the Stroke Professional Field

As a research institution, we continue to provide opportunities for our female colleagues to strive. Four of seven leadership positions within the institution are held by female colleagues and half of our vascular neurology fellows are women. In addition, our associates have contributed to gender and race disparity research within the stroke field.

参考

• Neurologists speak out about gender disparity at global stroke gathering
• Focus on Diversity Boosts Number of Women Speakers at ISC
• Sex Differences in Academic Rank and Publication Rate at Top-Ranked US Neurology Programs
• Only 1 in 3 Academic Neurologists Are Women, Study Finds

Research Articles

• 在妊娠和产后SiPP(中风):prospective, observational, international, multicentre study on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical profile, management and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnant and postpartum women
• Women in Neurointervention, a gender gap? Results of a prospective online survey

Faculty Research Articles

• Abstract WMP86: Persistent Gender and Racial Disparities Among Neurology Residents and Vascular Neurology Fellows Over the Past 10 Years, Anjail Sharrief
• Females Are Less Likely Invited Speakers to the International Stroke Conference: Time's Up to Address Sex Disparity, Anjail Sharrief
• Racial disparities in post-stroke functional outcomes in young patients with ischemic stroke, Anjail Sharrief

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Women's History Month Special Campaign

Throughout Women's History Month (March), we compiled a growing list of women leaders. We recognized women leaders in stroke across the globe to honor their contributions to the field. You can view the full thread on Twitterhere.

UTHealth Houston Stroke Institute Celebrates Women's History Month

A few women from our institution are highlighted above: Myriam Fornage, PhD, Anjail Sharrief, MD, MPH, Louise McCullough, MD, PhD, and Amanda Jagolino-Cole, MD.

Our honorable mention list includes women from outside our institution as well, who are making strides in the stroke field.

Listed in no particular order:

Janice J. Eng Professor and Canada Research Chair UBC Department of Physical Therapy at University of British Columbia Joanna Wardlaw Professor of Applied Neuroimaging University of Edinburgh Lara Boyd Professor The University of British Columbia Dorcas Gandhi Associate Professor and Research Fellow Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana Cheryl Bushnell, MD Neurologist Wakeforest Baptist Health Coralie English Professor, Physiotherapy University of Newcastle Dawn Kleindorfer, MD Chair and Professor of Neurology Michigan Medicine Robin Brey, MD Chair and Professor UTHealth San Antonio Robin Novokovic - UTSW in Dallas Associate Professor UT Southwestern Medical Center Heather Fullerton, MD, MAS Professor University of California San Francisco Jennifer Simpson, MD Neurologist University of Colorado Karen Furie, MD, MPH Chair and Professor Brown University 医学博士Pooja Khatri Professor and Director University of Cincinnati (UC Health) Jennifer Majersik, MD, MS Professor University of Utah Julie Bernhardt, PhD Director Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health 安娜·普拉纳斯（Anna Planas）博士 Researcher Institute of Biomedical Researchof Barcelona Ana Catarina Fonseca, MD, PhD, MPH Professor University of Lisbon Sheila Martins, MD, MSc, PhD Founder and President Brazilian Stroke Network Cheryl Bushnell, MD 综合Stro教授和主任ke Center Wake Forest Baptist Health Anne Alexandrov, PhD, RN, CCRN, ANVP-BC, NVRN-BC, FAAN Professor and MSU Chief Nurse Practitioner University of Tennessee Health Science Center Else Charlotte Sandset,MD, PhD Consultant Neurologist Oslo University Hospital

Hanne Christensen, MD, PhD, DMSCI, FESO Professor University of Copenhagen Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim, MD Head of Department of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 尼古拉·斯普里格（Nikola Sprigg），FRCP，医学博士 Professor Nottingham University Helmi Lutsep,MD Interim Chair and Professor Oregon Health and Science University Deidre A. De Silva, MBBS, FRCO, FAMS Senior Consultant National Neuroscience Institute (Singapore) Lauren H. Sansing, MD, MS, FAHA, FANA 中风和血管神经病学教授兼首席 Yale University Pam Duncan, PhD Professor Wake Forest School of Medicine Sheryl Martin-Schild, MD, PhD, FANA, FAHA Director New Orleans East Hospital Marilyn Cipolla, PhD Professor University of Vermont Natalia Rost, MD Stroke Division Chief Massachusetts General Hospital Argye Hillis, MD Professor and Director of Center of Excellence in Stroke Detection and Diagnosis Johns Hopkins Hospital Devin Brown, MD, MS Professor and Director of Vascular Neurology Fellowship University of Michigan Amytis Towfighi, MD Professor University of Southern California Lesli Skolarus, MD Professor University of Michigan Nicole Gonzales, MD Professor University of Colorado Wendy Ziai, MD Professor and Director of the Neurovascular Lab Johns Hopkins Hospital Patrice Lindsay, MD Director Heart & Stroke Foundation Canada Rebecca Gottesman, MD, PhD Professor Johns Hopkins Medicine Tanya Turan, MD Professor and Director of Stroke Neurology Division Medical University of South Carolina Tatjana Rundek, MD Professor and Director of Clinical Translational Services University of Miami Mai N. N. Nguyen-Huynh，医学博士，MAS Director Kaiser Permanente Northern California Thanh Nguyen, MD Professor and Director of Interventional Neuroradiology and Interventional Neurology Boston University School of Medicine