Women and Stroke: Recovery, Prevention and Health Equity

Women and Stroke: Recovery, Prevention and Health Equity

In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, talks with Tamika Burrus, M.D., a stroke neurology specialist, about how stroke uniquely affects women. Together, they explore critical differences in how women respond to stroke treatments, such as thrombolytics (alteplase and tenecteplase) and mechanical thrombectomy, why recovery can look different for women, and what steps health care systems can take to close the gender gap in stroke outcomes.

Dr. Burrus shares insights on physical, cognitive and emotional recovery challenges that women often face after stroke. The conversation also highlights disparities in stroke rehabilitation access, follow-up care and stroke prevention — particularly among Black and Hispanic women, who face a higher risk.

Listeners will gain practical takeaways on how women can reduce their stroke risk through lifestyle changes, the importance of early screening by primary care and OB/GYN providers, and how health care professionals can improve outcomes through education, advocacy and equitable care.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How estrogen impacts the cardiovascular system
• The unique physical, cognitive and emotional recovery challenges women face after stroke
• Disparities in access to rehabilitation and follow-up care for women compared with men
• Lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce stroke risk for women at any age
• How racial and ethnic disparities affect stroke risk among Black and Hispanic women
• The role of primary care and OB/GYN providers in early stroke risk screening
• Common misconceptions about stroke in women
• The most important next steps for women recovering from stroke
• How nurses and health care professionals can improve stroke outcomes and equity

Key takeaway:
Women experience stroke differently — biologically, socially and systemically. Improving prevention, early detection and equitable access to care can help save lives and support stronger recoveries.

About our guest:
Tamika M. Burrus, M.D., is a stroke neurologist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Burrus earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She completed her residency in neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a fellowship in vascular neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and co-author on several national guidelines for the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association.

Dr. Burrus believes it is important to ensure that patients feel as if their interaction is a partnership. She strives to help her patients understand their brain and spine and to collaborate with her regarding the best treatment plan for them. She has specialized expertise in telemedicine and was one of the early adopters in the field of teleneurology.

Dr. Burrus is a Louisville native. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and has visited 44 U.S. states and numerous countries outside North America. Dr. Burrus also likes cooking, art and philanthropic endeavors.

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For more support after stroke, check out the programs available online and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians.

Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: Nov. 10, 2025