Are you at risk for a stroke? Research from the University of California, Los Angeles reveals that women between the ages of 45 and 54 are more than twice as likely as men to suffer from a stroke. The clincher? Though high blood pressure is the most common cause for stroke, women are disproportionately affected by some surprising and less-well-known culprits, including pregnancy, chiropractic neck adjustments, getting a salon hair wash, riding a roller coaster, and birth control pills! Complicating matters, strokes may go unnoticed in women because females often present different stroke-related symptoms, such as disorientation, sudden pain on one side of the body, and/or loss of consciousness.The American Stroke Association explains that the estrogen in birth control pills may cause blood to clot more easily, so the higher the estrogen level in any hormonal contraceptive, the greater the risk for blood clots, which can lead to strokes. Unfortunately, even low-estrogen oral contraceptives could potentially increase a women's risk of stroke. It is also important to note that a woman is 34 times more at risk for a stroke if she smokes, has migraines (with visual symptoms - "auras"), and is on the birth control pill (as compared to a female with none of these risk factors).
It is important to discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before considering any the use of any hormonal contraceptive as these methods are not suited for all women. The World Health Organization has even developed a risk classification system to help doctors advise patients about the safety of birth control pills and to determine which women may be most at risk.
So, if you find yourself feeling disoriented, confused, or numb on one side of your face or body after getting your hair done, when getting off a roller coaster, after a neck adjustment at your chiropractor, or if you have been using birth control pills, make sure you contact your doctor right away.
Stroke Risk Factors Photo © 2008 Dawn Stacey
Now I know what are the connections about Birth Control Pills, Chiropractors, Salon Haircuts, Roller Coasters. I will make the risk of having a stroke. Maybe we try to lessen drinking pills, going to a chiropractor, having a haircut, and riding a roller coasters to avoid stroke.