Which group is a stroke risk factor specific to women?

Which group is a stroke risk factor specific to women?

• A. Regular exercise
• B. Women postmenopausal on HRT
• C. Hypertension
• D. Smoking

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that some stroke risk factors are gender-specific, tied to hormonal therapies that only women typically receive. Estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy after menopause has been shown to increase the risk of ischemic stroke. Estrogen can promote clot formation and affect blood vessel function, so women using menopausal hormone therapy have a higher stroke risk than those not using such therapy. This risk is particular to women because it depends on taking estrogen; other factors listed—regular exercise, hypertension, and smoking—raise stroke risk in both men and women (exercise actually lowers risk). Therefore, postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy represents a female-specific stroke risk factor. In practice, this risk guides careful consideration of HRT use, favoring the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration and exploring non-hormonal approaches when possible.

The key idea is that some stroke risk factors are gender-specific, tied to hormonal therapies that only women typically receive. Estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy after menopause has been shown to increase the risk of ischemic stroke. Estrogen can promote clot formation and affect blood vessel function, so women using menopausal hormone therapy have a higher stroke risk than those not using such therapy. This risk is particular to women because it depends on taking estrogen; other factors listed—regular exercise, hypertension, and smoking—raise stroke risk in both men and women (exercise actually lowers risk). Therefore, postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy represents a female-specific stroke risk factor. In practice, this risk guides careful consideration of HRT use, favoring the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration and exploring non-hormonal approaches when possible.