There are two primary types of strokes that affect both women and men. Ischemic strokes result from blockages in arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain. Blood clots are the most common cause of this blockage, but it also can result from narrowing of the arteries (stenosis), which often results from a buildup of plaque known as atherosclerosis.

Hemorrhagic strokes result from a bursting of an artery in the brain. This can occur when a weak spot on an artery wall expands (aneurysm) or when artery walls begin to lose their elasticity, leaving them brittle, thin and prone to cracks. Although hemorrhagic strokes are rare, they are more common in women who are pregnant and are the leading cause of maternal death in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Heath.

Women are also vulnerable to a type of stroke known as stroke secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). FMD is an inherited condition in which the patient experiences ongoing destruction of arterial blood vessels, including those in the neck that supply blood to the brain and arteries in the brain itself. This vascular damage can interrupt blood flow to the brain, resulting in a stroke. Stroke related to fibromuscular dysplasia primarily affects women, especially those over the age of 50.