What are the differences in strokes for men and women?

Normally, I blog about ways to keep physically healthy and mentally clean. Today, I want to use my platform for a different reason, to talk about a health issue that can seemingly come out of nowhere - strokes. People in my personal life have encountered strokes, and they can be absolutely devastating, especially if not dealt with quickly. Getting treatment fast can be a matter of life and death, but not everyone knows the signs.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood to cells in the brain. The most common cause of a stroke is a blockage in the arteries that supply the brain (an ischemic stroke), usually by a blot clot. Strokes can also be caused when blood vessels burst, meaning that there is bleeding inside the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke).

Is there a difference in strokes for men and women?

Importantly, the signs can be different between men and women who are experiencing a stroke. This often leads to strokes being missed, especially in women. More women die of strokes than men, and some experts believe this is because of the signs being missed. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in women, compared to the fifth leading cause of death in men.

What are the most common symptoms of strokes?

Strokes happen fast. The biggest red flags are sudden onsets of:

  • A severe headache - often described as the most painful headache you could imagine

  • Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg

  • Confusion or trouble communicating

  • A loss of coordination

  • A change in vision

FAST

An easy way to remember this is with the FAST method - Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

Face

Ask the suspected stroke victim to smile. If the smile is lopsided or droops to one side, it may be a sign of a stroke.

Arms

Ask them to raise their arms, and look for one arm that drifts downwards or looks weaker.

Speech

Can they repeat a simple phrase without slurring, or sounding strange?

Time

If you see any of the above, time is of the essence - call 911 as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a stroke in women

Women tend to have other unique symptoms as well, which can be extremely varied:

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness

  • General weakness

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Nausea

  • A sudden change in behavior, as well as signs of hallucination

  • Seizures

I’m willing to bet you had heard of some of the symptoms on the first list. I certainly had - they are the classic symptoms associated with a stroke. However, it's very possible that because of the difference in symptoms for women, we are missing signs of a stroke and acting too slowly, increasing the fatality rate. Take a second to look over the second list again - it could make a real difference.

What to do if somebody has a stroke

The most important step you can take is calling 911, or getting to a hospital as soon as possible. Studies show that if the time between having a stroke and getting treatment is reduced, a better recovery is more likely.



Jon Straub