Stroke Symptoms Differ Between Men and Women; Here’s What to Watch For

Women do not always show the “classic” stroke symptoms — and according to doctors, that is exactly why their strokes are missed more often. “In my practice, the stories that haunt me aren’t the dramatic

collapses or one-sided weakness.” US-based neurosurgeon Dr Jay Jagannathan informed. “It’s the woman who thought she was just exhausted, the one who blamed a sudden headache on stress, the one who didn’t want to 'be dramatic' by coming in,” he said on his Instagram. According to Dr Jagannathan, it is important for women to understand the subtle distinctions, which are not just medical trivia but a life-saver for women, as it could make the difference between quick intervention and a devastating delay.

How do brain stroke symptoms differ in women?

Studies have consistently shown that women are statistically more likely than men to develop atypical or non-traditional stroke symptoms. “Sometimes a stroke doesn’t look like a drooping face or slurred speech. Sometimes it looks like confusion, overwhelming fatigue, nausea, or a feeling you just can’t explain. Not loud. Not obvious. But dangerous,” he said. A few signs for women to watch out for include:

• Sudden onset of generalised weakness or unexplained fatigue
• Confusion, amnesia, disorientation, or sudden behaviour changes
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting with no clear cause
• Sudden chest pain, heart palpitations, or breathlessness
• Hiccups or difficulty swallowing
• Fainting or loss of consciousness, with or without pain
• Hallucinations or unusual visual disturbances
• Suddenly, an unusually severe headache

According to experts, many of these symptoms can overlap with other conditions like anxiety, migraine, or general illness. As a result, women and their families may delay seeking brain stroke treatment.

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A post shared by Jay Jagannathan, MD | Michigan Neurosurgery Institute (@jagannathanneurosurgery)

Why do stroke symptoms differ between men and women?

Experts say the difference lies in what causes a brain stroke, and the underlying cause of a brain stroke is unique to women, which includes:

Hormonal differences

Women undergo various changes in their bodies, which include events like pregnancy, menopause, or hormone therapies that affect blood pressure, clotting, and vascular health.

Autoimmune diseases

Doctors say women are more prone to autoimmune diseases and migraines – all of which are associated with higher stroke risk and different presentations.

Cardiovascular complications

Heart-related complications are unique to women, including high blood pressure during pregnancy, which is an added risk of brain stroke.

More prone to fatigue

Women are more prone to fatigue, mental status changes, and general malaise, while men might present with more obvious focal brain stroke symptoms like numbness or vision changes. Traditional brain stroke causes, which include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of activity, and heart disease, are important for all, but their impact and additional risks may differ between men and women.

What can women do to reduce the risk?

To reduce the risk of stroke, women should make sure to:

• Focus on managing blood pressure and cholesterol
• Lower blood sugar levels
• Adopt a heart-healthy diet which includes eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Limit salt and sugar intake
• Stop consuming unhealthy fats.
• Getting regular exercise, which includes more than 30 minutes of workout daily
• Quit smoking and alcohol
• Manage stress and prioritize sleep
• Regularly discuss unique female risk factors, like hormonal therapies, with your doctor