DES MOINES (SPECIAL) – According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Iowa. Nearly 1,700 Iowans died from stroke in 2008 and hundreds more are disabled due to strokes. “In the past, doctors didn’t have many options to help stroke victims,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Now, stroke doesn’t have to mean disability or death. If you recognize a stroke and get to the hospital immediately, there are drugs that can be given to dissolve blood clots, and improve outcomes.”

While common risk groups include the elderly, smokers, and those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, stroke can strike anyone at any age. Women are more likely than men to have a stroke. Risk factors that are especially important for women under age 55 include:

·Migraines – women who have migraine headaches with visual disturbances (such as flashing dots or blind spots) can be up to 10 times more likely to have a stroke.

·Birth control pills – women who have taken even low-estrogen birth control pills may be twice as likely to have a stroke as those who don’t.

·Hormone replacement therapy – women who take hormone replacement therapy may have slightly increased risk of stroke.

·Diabetes and lupus – these and other autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of stroke.

·Clotting disorders – women who’ve had more than one miscarriage may be at higher risk for blood clots, which can increase risk of stroke.

Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs suddenly. Every minute matters. It is important to recognize the warning signs of stroke:

·Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

·Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

·Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

·Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

·Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

For more information about stroke, its warning signs and causes, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/cardiovascular_health.asp <www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/cardiovascular_health.asp> .