Chapter 19 - Sex differences in stroke

Abstract

Sex disparities within the field of stroke, including subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs), have been in focus during the last 2 decades. It is clear that stroke incidence is higher in men, and also that men have their first stroke earlier than women. On the other hand, women have more severe strokes, mainly because cardioembolic strokes are more common in women. This leads to higher case fatality and worse functional outcome in women. It has often been pointed out that women more often have nontraditional stroke symptoms, and therefore may seek medical help later. After discharge from the hospital, female stroke survivors live alone in many cases and are dependent on external care. Therefore, these women frequently rate their quality of life (QoL) lower than men do. Female spouses more often provide help to their male stroke survivors than the reverse, and they accept a heavier burden. These caregivers are at high risk for depression, low QoL, and low psychologic wellbeing. SAH is a special form of stroke, often caused by a ruptured aneurysm. It is about 20% more common in women. The case fatality is high, but does not differ between the sexes.