Women and Stroke

• Outpatient Clinical Stroke Services - STEP Clinic

  Outpatient Clinical Stroke Services - STEP Clinic

  
  

  Address

  6410 Fannin Street, Suite 1014
  Houston, TX 77030

  Phone

  (832) 325-7080

  Fax

  (713) 512-2239

  Our Purpose

  Stroke is a preventable disease with devastating consequences. The risk of stroke can be decreased by addressing and controlling risk factors. Risk factors are medical conditions or lifestyle practices that can increase one's chance of having a stroke.

  
  At the STEP Clinic, we know that risk factor control and lifestyle change take time. We help patients identify and control risk factors and take steps towards improving dietary habits and increasing physical activity.

  
  Our staff is trained to recognize the many consequences of stroke including depression, fatigue, and changes in thinking and memory. Identification of these and other consequences is important for stroke recovery.

  
  Patients and families have many concerns after a stroke or TIA occurs. These include questions about medications and their side effects, returning to work, driving, and many others. At the STEP Clinic, we work hard to address these concerns.

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  Our Patients

  The STEP Clinic serves patients who have had or at high risk for having the following conditions:

  • Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA
  • Ischemic Stroke resulting from the blockage of an artery
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke or Bleeding Stroke often resulting from high blood pressure

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  Our Staff

  • Stroke Physicians
  • A Stroke-Trained Nurse Practitioner
  • Stroke Division Medical Assistants
  • A Social Worker specialized in improving transitions of care for stroke patients
  • Clinic Schedulers

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  Clinic Services

  • Stroke and TIA education
  • Screening for stroke risk factors
  • Management of hypertension, high cholesterol, and tobacco use
  • Screening and treatment of fatigue, depression, memory/cognitive disorders, and post-stroke pain
  • Referrals for management of diabetes, nutrition programs, and intensive tobacco cessation programs
  • Referrals for driving assessments and programs to assist with returning to work
• Why are women at risk for stroke?

  Stroke kills about twice as many women as breast cancer each year. In fact, stroke is the third leading cause of death for women. Stroke also kills more women than men each year. A stroke can leave you permanently disabled. But many strokes are preventable and treatable. Every woman can take steps to prevent stroke by knowing her risk factors and making healthy changes. Here are some key factors to consider:

  • Pregnancy-related Issues: Women experience unique stroke risks during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), gestational diabetes, and postpartum complications. These conditions can increase the risk of stroke both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
  • Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly during menopause, can influence stroke risk. Estrogen plays a protective role in cardiovascular health, and its decline during menopause may contribute to increased risk factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.
  • Birth Control Pills and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Some forms of birth control pills, especially those containing estrogen, can increase the risk of blood clots, which may lead to stroke, particularly in women who smoke or have other risk factors. Similarly, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used during menopause can also impact stroke risk.
  • Migraine with Aura: Women who experience migraines with aura have a higher risk of stroke, especially if they are also smokers or have other cardiovascular risk factors. Migraine with aura is more common in women than in men.
  • Autoimmune Diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are more prevalent in women and are associated with an increased risk of stroke due to inflammation and potential vascular complications.
  • Psychosocial Factors: Women may experience unique psychosocial stressors, such as caregiving responsibilities, that can contribute to elevated stress levels and impact cardiovascular health, potentially increasing stroke risk.
  • Depression and Mental Health: Women are more likely than men to experience depression and anxiety, which are linked to higher stroke risk. Additionally, untreated mental health conditions can lead to unhealthy lifestyle habits that further contribute to stroke risk.
  • Social Determinants of Health: Socioeconomic factors, access to healthcare, and cultural influences can also impact stroke risk differently for women compared to men. Addressing these social determinants of health is crucial for reducing disparities in stroke outcomes.

  
  It's important to consider these unique stroke risk factors for women in prevention strategies, diagnosis, and treatment plans to improve overall stroke awareness and outcomes.

• How can I, as a woman, prevent stroke?

  Risk Factors for Stroke:

  • Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Tobacco Use
  • High Cholesterol
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Poor Diet
  • Lack of Exercise
  • Obesity or Overweight
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea

  Prevention starts with keeping your medical conditions in control and practicing healthier lifestyle habits.

  A helpful guide is to follow your "ABCS".

  A for Ask Your Doctor to determine what medications, treatments and services work best for you

  B for Blood pressure – monitor your blood pressure levels routinely

  C for Cholesterol – manage your cholesterol

  S for Smoking – refrain from smoking

• Helpful resources
  • STROKE.ORG
  • WOMENSHEALTH.GOV
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Women and Stroke
  • Stroke.org: Women Have a Higher Risk of Stroke
  • Healthline.com: 16 Symptoms of Stroke in Women: Treatment and Prevention

Women Leaders in the Stroke Field

• Faculty Research Articles

  As a research institution, we continue to provide opportunities for our female colleagues to strive. Four of seven leadership positions within the institution are held by female colleagues and half of our vascular neurology fellows are women.

  

  The Stroke community continues to grow and evolve with the valuable contribution of bright and resourceful women; however, I hope that more women could get involve in the field, because it can really benefit from the insightful, organized and caring minds of women around the globe, who give their effort and dedication to advance research and treat their patients with excellence.

  Juliana Gomez, Vascular Neurology Graduate

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  In addition, our associates have contributed to gender and race disparity research within the stroke field.

  • bstract WMP86: Persistent Gender and Racial Disparities Among Neurology Residents and Vascular Neurology Fellows Over the Past 10 Years, Anjail Sharrief
  • Females Are Less Likely Invited Speakers to the International Stroke Conference: Time's Up to Address Sex Disparity, Anjail Sharrief
  • Racial disparities in post-stroke functional outcomes in young patients with ischemic stroke, Anjail Sharrief
• References and Research Articles
  • Neurologists speak out about gender disparity at global stroke gathering
  • Focus on Diversity Boosts Number of Women Speakers at ISC
  • Sex Differences in Academic Rank and Publication Rate at Top-Ranked US Neurology Programs
  • Only 1 in 3 Academic Neurologists Are Women, Study Finds
  • SiPP (Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum): A prospective, observational, international, multicentre study on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical profile, management and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnant and postpartum women
  • Women in Neurointervention, a gender gap? Results of a prospective online survey
• Women's History Month Special Campaign

  UTHealth Houston Stroke Institute Celebrates Women's History Month

  Every Women's History Month (March), we recognize a growing list of women leaders. In the past we have highlighted women leaders in stroke across the globe to honor their contributions to the field, as well as those we have worked closely with. You can view the full thread on Twitter here.  

  Listed in no particular order are our honorable mention list, who are making strides in the stroke field:

  Janice J. Eng Professor and Canada Research Chair  UBC Department of Physical Therapy at University of British Columbia Joanna Wardlaw Professor of Applied Neuroimaging University of Edinburgh Lara Boyd Professor The University of British Columbia Dorcas Gandhi Associate Professor and Research Fellow  Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana Cheryl Bushnell, MD Neurologist Wakeforest Baptist Health Coralie English Professor, Physiotherapy University of Newcastle Dawn Kleindorfer, MD Chair and Professor of Neurology Michigan Medicine Robin Brey, MD Chair and Professor UTHealth San Antonio Robin Novokovic - UTSW in Dallas Associate Professor UT Southwestern Medical Center Heather Fullerton, MD, MAS Professor University of California San Francisco Jennifer Simpson, MD Neurologist University of Colorado Karen Furie, MD, MPH Chair and Professor Brown University Pooja Khatri, MD Professor and Director  University of Cincinnati (UC Health) Jennifer Majersik, MD, MS Professor University of Utah Julie Bernhardt, PhD Director Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Anna Planas, PhD Researcher Institute of Biomedical Researchof Barcelona Ana Catarina Fonseca, MD, PhD, MPH Professor University of Lisbon Sheila Martins, MD, MSc, PhD Founder and President Brazilian Stroke Network Cheryl Bushnell, MD Professor and Director of Comprehensive Stroke Center Wake Forest Baptist Health Anne Alexandrov, PhD, RN, CCRN, ANVP-BC, NVRN-BC, FAAN Professor and MSU Chief Nurse Practitioner University of Tennessee Health Science Center Else Charlotte Sandset,MD, PhD Consultant Neurologist Oslo University Hospital

  Hanne Christensen, MD, PhD, DMSCI, FESO Professor University of Copenhagen Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim, MD Head of Department of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Nikola Sprigg, FRCP, MD Professor Nottingham University Helmi Lutsep,MD Interim Chair and Professor Oregon Health and Science University Deidre A. De Silva, MBBS, FRCO, FAMS Senior Consultant  National Neuroscience Institute (Singapore) Lauren H. Sansing, MD, MS, FAHA, FANA Professor and Chief of Division of Stroke and Vascular Neurology  Yale University Pam Duncan, PhD Professor Wake Forest School of Medicine Sheryl Martin-Schild, MD, PhD, FANA, FAHA Director New Orleans East Hospital Marilyn Cipolla, PhD Professor University of Vermont Natalia Rost, MD Stroke Division Chief Massachusetts General Hospital Argye Hillis, MD Professor and Director of Center of Excellence in Stroke Detection and Diagnosis Johns Hopkins Hospital Devin Brown, MD, MS Professor and Director of Vascular Neurology Fellowship University of Michigan Amytis Towfighi, MD Professor University of Southern California Lesli Skolarus, MD Professor University of Michigan Nicole Gonzales, MD Professor University of Colorado Wendy Ziai, MD Professor and Director of the Neurovascular Lab Johns Hopkins Hospital Patrice Lindsay, MD Director Heart & Stroke Foundation Canada Rebecca Gottesman, MD, PhD Professor Johns Hopkins Medicine Tanya Turan, MD Professor and Director of Stroke Neurology Division Medical University of South Carolina Tatjana Rundek, MD Professor and Director of Clinical Translational Services University of Miami Mai N. Nguyen-Huynh, MD, MAS Director Kaiser Permanente Northern California Thanh Nguyen, MD Professor and Director of Interventional Neuroradiology and Interventional Neurology Boston University School of Medicine

• International Women's Day

  International Women's Day - March 8

  We celebrate the incredible women driving innovation and progress in science, particularly in the realm of stroke research every day, but especially once a year on March 8. Below are some of the women who make up the Stroke Institute at UTHealth Houston. (2024)

  Together, let's foster a world where every woman in science is celebrated, supported, and empowered!