October 29 marks World Stroke Day — the leading cause of death among women in Spain.
In women, the classic symptoms—loss of strength on one side, difficulty speaking, or facial paralysis—may appear in subtler ways, delaying the request for medical attention.
Valencia – On the occasion of World Stroke Day, specialists from the Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital, part of the Vithas Cardiovascular Institute (ICV), deliver a clear message: stroke does not discriminate by gender, but in women, it can appear more silently—and therefore, more dangerously.
Every year in Spain, more than 120.000 cases of stroke occur, half of them in women, for whom this condition represents the leading cause of death.
“The impact on women is particularly severe, not only because of higher mortality but also due to poorer functional recovery and less recognized symptoms,” highlights Dr. Alfonso Valle, Head of Cardiology at Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital.
Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention, but prevention begins much earlier.
In women, risk factors can be linked to specific life stages such as pregnancy, menopause, or the use of hormonal contraceptives.
Additionally, conditions such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm), or migraines with aura are more prevalent in women and are directly associated with a higher risk of stroke.
The classic symptoms—such as weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or facial paralysis—may appear more subtly in women: confusion, general fatigue, severe headache, or changes in consciousness. According to Dr. Valle, “This difference in clinical presentation means that many women do not recognize the warning signs or attribute them to minor causes, delaying the request for medical help and therefore increasing the risk of serious long-term consequences”.
How to Prevent Stroke in Women
“Although stroke may seem unpredictable at first glance, in most cases it is a preventable disease,” explains Dr. Valle. In women, there are key moments when cardiovascular risk changes—pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, or the use of hormonal contraceptives.
Other contributing factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, lipoprotein(a), smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and structural heart problems detectable through echocardiography.
The specialists at Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital recommend regular cardiac check-ups, especially after the age of 45 or in cases of family history, as well as monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels.
In key life stages, such as pregnancy or menopause, it is advisable to consult a cardiologist, especially if complications like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes occurred, and to assess cardiovascular risk during menopause transition.
Women’s Cardiology Clinic
The Vithas Valencia Turia Hospital, which opened last April, has launched a dedicated Women’s Cardiology Clinic offering care tailored to every life stage. “We are aware that women’s cardiovascular health requires a specialized perspective”, says Dr. Valle.
Women attending this clinic receive personalized medical history reviews, risk factor assessment, guidance on hormonal health, nutrition, and exercise, and joint evaluation with Gynecology when necessary.
The unit is equipped to perform tests such as electrocardiogram, full cardiovascular blood panel, color Doppler echocardiography, stress testing, coronary CT with calcium scoring, and supra-aortic Doppler ultrasound. “All with the goal of early detection and prevention of events such as stroke, while addressing the specific cardiovascular needs of women”, concludes Dr. Valle.
About Vithas
The Vithas Group comprises 22 hospitals and 39 medical and healthcare centers across 14 provinces. With 12.600 professionals, Vithas is among the leading healthcare providers in Spain.
The group also includes the Vithas Foundation, Vithas Red Diagnóstica, and the PlazaSalud+ purchasing center.
Backed by the Goodgrower Group, Vithas bases its corporate strategy on certified healthcare quality, patient experience, research and innovation, and social and environmental commitment.
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