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Title: Pregnancy as a Risk factor for Stroke

Category: Neurology

Posted: 1/26/2011 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 3/3/2026)

 

  • The risk of ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) during pregnancy and the first 6 weeks postpartum is 2.4 times greater than for non-pregnant women of similar age and race. 
  • The risk of ischemic stroke during pregnancy is not increased during pregnancy, per se, but is increased 8.7 fold during the 6 weeks postpartum. 
  • ICH showed a small relative risk (RR) of 2.5 during pregnancy, but increased dramatically to a RR of 28.3 in the 6 weeks post partum.
  • Take Home Point:  Your suspicion for true stroke should heighten in pregnant and post-partum patients, particularly for ICH and ischemic stroke during the the first 6 weeks after delivery.

References

  • Kittner SJ, Stern BJ, Feeser BR, Hebel R, Nagey DA, Buchholz DW, Earley CJ, Johnson CJ, Macko RF, Sloan MA, Wityk RJ, Wozniak MA.  Pregnancy and the risk of stroke.  N Engl J Med.  1996;335:768-774.