Stroke in Women: What is Different?

Stroke, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, varies in incidence in men and women of different age groups: more boys than girls have strokes; the incidence of stroke is greater in men in their 60s and 70s; and stroke is more common in women after age 80 years. These differences are attributed to hormonal (sex-related) changes and variable risk factors in women, as well as lifestyle and environmental (gender-related) co-morbid conditions. A woman, who is more likely to have a stroke in her lifetime than a myocardial infarction, has a different response to primary and secondary prevention as compared with a man. Although response to thrombolysis is similar, older age and more severe strokes in women lead to poorer outcomes in female stroke survivors.