CEREBROVASCULAR-DISEASE IN WOMEN

Cerebrovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in women in the United States. Pregnancy and hormonal therapy have been associ ated with an increased risk of stroke in young women. Other conditions , more common in women, such as migraine headaches, rheumatologic diso rders and antiphospholipid antibodies predispose women to cerebral isc hemia. Women may also respond differently to antiplatelet therapy. The identification and treatment of such conditions will improve outcome in women with stroke and may prevent recurrent cerebrovascular events.