A recent federal health survey showed stroke rates have tripled in women ages 35 to 54 compared to a decade ago.

The 1999 to 2004 survey found that women’s waists were nearly 2 inches bigger and their average body mass index and blood sugar levels also rose compared to the previous survey of 1988 to 1994.

“The trend has been linked to belly fat and obesity,” says Kathleen MacKerrow, R.N., Mills-Peninsula’s Stroke Program coordinator. “Being overweight, not exercising, having high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes are some of the primary risk factors for stroke – along with smoking and a family history of stroke.”

Other risks to younger women are the use of oral contraceptives, pregnancy, using hormone replacement therapy and migraines, she said.

“Migraines can increase a woman’s stroke risk three to six times, and most Americans who have migraines are women.”

Mills-Peninsula has treated several younger women with both ischemic stroke – resulting from blockage – and hemorrhagic, or bleeding stroke, MacKerrow said.

While certified primary stroke centers like Mills-Peninsula – which was recently ranked in the top 5 percent in the U.S. for quality of care – recognize stroke can affect any age, younger adults are not always aware of the dangers.

“The classic signs are numbness or weakness typically on one side of the body, confusion, trouble seeing or walking, dizziness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech and sudden severe headache,” she said.

“In addition, women may experience sudden face and limb pain, hiccups, nausea, general weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations.”

Women who think they might be experiencing a stroke or recognize a stroke in another person should seek immediate medical assistance by calling 911, she said.

“We treated 25 people with the clot-busting drug tPA during 2007 with good results,” MacKerrow said. “Some patients had dramatic improvement in their symptoms – the key is to get help quickly.”