Middle-Aged Women Have Double the
Risk for Stroke

If you’re a woman, it’s never too early to start thinking about stroke prevention. That’s because stroke can strike women of all ages. Middleaged women are especially vulnerable. Research shows that women ages 45 to 54 are more than twice as likely to suffer a stroke as men of the same age. The increased risk may have something to do with the rapid rise in women’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels at midlife. Watching your weight, eating right, and getting regular exercise can help lower your stroke risk, no matter what your age.

Neurology, Vol. 69, No. 20