Stroke During Pregnancy: What are the Odds?
Pregnancy is a challenging time for women and usually comes with many discomforts and possible health dangers. One often overlooked danger is the increased risk of stroke during pregnancy.
A stroke is caused by blockage or damage of arteries, blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen to different parts of the body. When oxygen cannot be transferred to cells, this can lead to death of vital organs. Therefore, strokes are important to be aware of, especially in pregnant women. Why does pregnancy increase the chances of stroke? Pregnancy brings along with it heightened levels of stress, both on the mind and on the body. Besides dealing with daily worries of carrying a growing baby, pregnant women also experience more physical strain on the heart and blood vessels due to increase in body weight and shift in hormones.
A stroke is caused by blockage or damage of arteries, blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen to different parts of the body. When oxygen cannot be transferred to cells, this can lead to death of vital organs. Therefore, strokes are important to be aware of, especially in pregnant women. Why does pregnancy increase the chances of stroke? Pregnancy brings along with it heightened levels of stress, both on the mind and on the body. Besides dealing with daily worries of carrying a growing baby, pregnant women also experience more physical strain on the heart and blood vessels due to increase in body weight and shift in hormones.
Stress, whether from the pregnancy or from life, can increase the risk of stroke, especially while pregnant.
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While most women experience little to no issues during pregnancy and delivery, some women experience complications that can increase their risk of stroke. These complications include high blood pressure, diabetes, and blood clots among others.
Recognizing signs of stroke is often hard while pregnant, since the two share many symptoms. Indications of stroke are often incorrectly attributed to pregnancy. One way to distinguish between the causes is whether the symptom appeared suddenly. If so, a stroke is the more likely cause. Symptoms to look out for include severe headaches, confusion, numbness in the face or extremities—especially on one side of the body—and difficulty seeing, walking, speaking, and understanding speech.
However, there are many easy steps that can be taken to lower the risk of stroke, whether pregnant or otherwise. Leading a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent strokes. Some suggestions include abstaining from smoking or using tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight to keep a normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and eating healthier foods, such as those containing whole grains, low sodium, and low sugar. Staying physically active is also crucial, and about 30 minutes of mild exercise per day is highly recommended for pregnant women. Lastly, women can be better informed about health conditions that accompany pregnancy by discussing the risks of stroke with health professionals in an effort to minimize said risks. In conclusion, leading a healthy lifestyle is important both in having a healthy pregnancy and in general.
Recognizing signs of stroke is often hard while pregnant, since the two share many symptoms. Indications of stroke are often incorrectly attributed to pregnancy. One way to distinguish between the causes is whether the symptom appeared suddenly. If so, a stroke is the more likely cause. Symptoms to look out for include severe headaches, confusion, numbness in the face or extremities—especially on one side of the body—and difficulty seeing, walking, speaking, and understanding speech.
However, there are many easy steps that can be taken to lower the risk of stroke, whether pregnant or otherwise. Leading a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent strokes. Some suggestions include abstaining from smoking or using tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight to keep a normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and eating healthier foods, such as those containing whole grains, low sodium, and low sugar. Staying physically active is also crucial, and about 30 minutes of mild exercise per day is highly recommended for pregnant women. Lastly, women can be better informed about health conditions that accompany pregnancy by discussing the risks of stroke with health professionals in an effort to minimize said risks. In conclusion, leading a healthy lifestyle is important both in having a healthy pregnancy and in general.
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