More than 60% of deaths from stroke in the US occur among postmenopausal women. Many of them have no warning symptoms. So how can women at risk be
More than 60% of deaths from stroke in the US occur among postmenopausal women. Many of them have no warning symptoms. So how can women at risk be detected?
One way may be through having regular and thorough dental exams. A warning sign of stroke risk is atheroma - fatty deposits in the carotid arteries serving the brain. This can be picked up through a dental x-ray. Researchers in California have assessed dental x-rays and medical records of 52 women of average age 70. Sixteen of these women had atheroma in the neck and their histories revealed a number of risk factors, like obesity, smoking and high cholesterol.Dental examination are an easy way of detecting the problem.These patients are at a higher risk of stroke.
