Gender differences in stroke

Abstract

Everyone is aware ofmany differences betweenmen andwomen in everyday life. But, howdifferent arewe in copingwith diseases?Nowadays, results of stroke studies more often point out gender differences. It has been shown that men and women have a different profile of vascular risk factors, different response to medical treatment, therapeutic interventions, as well as post-stroke disability and care. Data have shown women to be significantly older than men when stroke occurs, more likely to suffer cardioembolic stroke and have atrial fibrillation as a risk factor. Also, stroke onset differs among men and women. Acute stroke in women commonly presents with a coma, paralysis, aphasia, swallowing difficulties and urinary incontinence. Women also show greater disability and handicap after stroke, than men. There has been a noted difference as to where patients are discharged after hospital stay. While women are more often discharged to a chronic facility, men more often return home. These differences may imply some social differences, but also point out the need for careful future management and healthcare planning