Stroke in women: Is it different?

Abstract

In the last decades, there has been great progress in the field of stroke. With the introduction of acute therapies (intravenous thrombolysis and intra-arterial treatment), the outcome after stroke has improved significantly. Better prevention, improved acute therapy, and acute rehabilitation improved the morbidity and mortality rate after stroke. Gender differences in risk factors and epidemiology have been known for a long time, but lately attention to gender differences in stroke has increased. The aim of this mini-review is to demonstrate gender disparities in stroke with a focus on epidemiology, specific risk factors (gender-specific and unspecific), and outcomes. The influence of some risk factors for stroke is stronger in women (atrial fibrillation and hypertension) and there are risk factors exclusive to women such as pregnancy, pregnancy-associated hypertensive disorders, oral contraceptives, and hormonal replacement treatment. Data on the impact of other risk factors are inconsistent. The worse outcome after a stroke is mainly caused by demographic characteristics in women. Specific gender research is needed to better understand gender disparities in stroke to improve prevention strategies and treatment for women.