Stroke symptoms vary by gender, a New York surgeon has warned.
Familiar symptoms such as unilateral numbness and slurred speech occur mainly in men.
According to one of Dr. However, in the video shared by Erin Nance of Lennox Hill Hospital, the warning signs in women are more subtle.
She adds that ignorance about gender inequality puts women at risk of being misdiagnosed, as the best outcomes are seen in patients treated within three hours of symptoms appearing.
“Waiting seven to eight hours to go to the hospital already reduces your chance of a good recovery.”
Importantly, the majority (60 percent) of stroke deaths in the United States occur in women.
Research shows that seizures, which occur when blood supply to the brain is cut off, are also more common in women.
According to research, approximately 55,000 more women than men in the United States suffer a stroke each year.
“Women are 33 percent more likely to be misdiagnosed when they have an acute stroke,” said Dr. Nance in a video on her TikTok channel.
“Most women who are misdiagnosed are told they have anxiety or migraines.”
She then reveals the “unique symptoms of a stroke in women,” including: “unconsciousness or fainting, general weakness, not just weakness in an arm or leg.”
“Confusion, indifference or disorientation,” she adds. Perhaps the most surprising symptom is a “sudden change in behavior,” including agitation and hallucinations.
“Nausea, vomiting, seizures or even hiccups.”
Women can also experience the classic symptoms of a stroke, says Dr. Nance, such as weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech and drooping face.
“But these unique symptoms are often overlooked when you go to the emergency room when you are sick and a stroke is not a primary consideration for a possible diagnosis.”
It is not entirely clear why men and women experience different stroke symptoms. However, some research suggests that it may be related to differences in the size of the blood vessels that supply the brain. It affects the areas of the brain affected by nutrient deficiencies, resulting in various symptoms.
One famous woman who suffered a devastating stroke is model Hailey Bieber, who suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, in March 2022.
Model and influencer Hailey Bieber suffered a mild stroke in March 2022 after experiencing numbness in her arm and losing the ability to speak.
The 26-year-old, married to pop megastar Justin Bieber, was rushed to hospital after suddenly experiencing pain in her arm and losing her ability to speak.
Investigations later revealed that she had suffered a stroke, which eventually went away on its own. The cause turned out to be a small blood clot that traveled to her brain through an abnormal opening between the upper chambers of her heart.
There are many reasons why women are at greater risk of stroke than men. For example, birth control pills—taken by about 230 million American women—can contribute to high blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke.
“This does not mean that women should stop using their birth control pills,” says Dr. Nance. “This means that if you have a symptom — a symptom that looks like a stroke — and you’re taking birth control pills, you should tell your doctor right away because you’re worried that you might be having a possible stroke.”
Pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used by nearly half of all postmenopausal women to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, can also be responsible for an increase in blood pressure.
Stroke is not the only cardiovascular disease that affects men and women differently.
Research shows that heart attack symptoms differ by gender, with women significantly more likely to experience less common symptoms such as indigestion, shortness of breath and back pain.
In addition, women are less likely than men to experience chest pain in the minutes before a heart attack.
A widespread misunderstanding of symptoms in women is believed to be one of the reasons why women are up to twice as likely to die in the years after a heart attack.
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, killing approximately 310,000 women annually.
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
