Why are more pregnant women having strokes?

The elderly aren't the only ones at risk for strokes, which are increasingly striking women shortly before or after they give birth

The rate of strokes in pregnant women is rising and experts say age and obesity could be related factors.
(Image credit: Sean Justice/Corbis)

Pregnant women and new mothers are facing a growing risk of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The overall hospitalization rate remains relatively low — of the roughly 4 million women who give birth in the U.S. each year, 6,300 were afflicted by pregnancy related strokes in 2006-07. But the number is rising, fast. Three key questions:

How much has the risk of pregnancy-related stroke risen?

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