Strokes among women ages 41-64 increased 24% between 2001 and 2005 among members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the company reports.
Strokes in this group rose from 3.3 members to 4.1 per 1,000 members in just 4 years, making strokes in females in the age group one of the fastest-growing diseases among all Minnesota members under age 65, according to the company, in Eagan, Minn.
Overall, stroke topped the list of fastest-growing major diseases in the company’s “2006 Health Concerns Report.”