Atrium doctor warns women about overlooked stroke symptoms
“We always talk about breast cancer, but when you look around, women have more strokes,” Kirkman-Bey said.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Stroke symptoms can look different in women, and recognizing the signs quickly can be critical to getting lifesaving treatment, according to Dr. Naomi Kirkman-Bey with Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center.
Kirkman-Bey said strokes are prevalent in Middle Georgia and across the state. She said strokes are also more common than breast cancer among women.
“We always talk about breast cancer, but when you look around, women have more strokes,” Kirkman-Bey said.
According to Kirkman-Bey, women’s stroke symptoms are often more generalized than men’s and can include weakness, headaches and elevated blood pressure. She said symptoms can vary from person to person.
Kirkman-Bey said women need to be especially aware of stroke symptoms because they often wait to seek medical care.
She encouraged people to remember the acronym BEFAST, which is used to identify possible stroke symptoms:
- Balance problems
- Eye or vision changes
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
Kirkman-Bey said strokes can happen at any age. She said there used to be more of an age range associated with stroke risk, but that has changed as more people experience strokes linked to major lifestyle changes.
She said anyone experiencing symptoms should go to the hospital immediately.
