Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GZRKUrh9F/ One in every 5 women will suffer a stroke between the ages of 55 and 75. In fact, American women have a 32% higher average risk of developing a stroke than men.  Knowing the multiple factors that increase or decrease that risk can help keep a woman in optimal health. A woman’s stroke risk increases during pregnancy, after menopause, and, in general, with advancing age.  Knowing this, it is critical that women do all they can to control other factors and thereby lessen risk. Blood pressure elevation is a key factor.  For every 10 mmHg systolic pressure elevation above 120, the risk of stroke escalates some 25%.  Blood sugar levels and the development of diabetes is also critical.  Compared with women enjoying fasting sugar levels of 100 mg/dL or less, those with sugar levels greater or equal to 150 have a 59% higher risk of stroke.  Those women with diabetes who need medication for its control have a 61% higher risk of stroke compared with non-diabetic wom