Emerging Risk Factors in Women

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability and death for women in the United States, with recent evidence suggesting a higher rate of stroke in midlife women than men, as well as higher lifetime risk of stroke for older women. Several recent studies highlight emerging areas of interest for research on risk factors for stroke in women. This article reviews data published in the last year, focusing on 3 potential risk factors that may partially explain these differences between men and women: central adiposity and related adipocytokines, endogenous sex hormones, and depression.