Men survive strokes better than women
Published on 10 February 2014 02:30 PM
Men are likely to survive strokes better than women - with the biggest difference between the sexes seen in people over 75, according to new research.
More people survive a stroke today than a decade ago due to better treatment and prevention.
But women are more likely than men to notice difficulties with mobility, pain or discomfort, and anxiety and depression three months after suffering a stroke.
Women are still more likely to have a lower quality of life than men a year after experiencing a stroke.
Women 'more likely than men to notice difficulties with mobility'
Scientists compared the quality of life in 1,370 US adults who suffered a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) aged from 56 to 77.
The adults' quality of life was evaluated on mobility, self-care, everyday activities, depression or anxiety and pain at three months and one year following a stroke or TIA.
Scientists found that marital status was the most key factor separating the quality of life in men and women, with patients who are single coping less well.
The research suggested that additional study on the problems reported by stroke survivors may give a clearer knowledge of ways the lives of female patients can be improved.
Healthcare providers 'should pay attention to quality of life issues'
New studies will examine the cognitive decline in men and women before and after a stroke.
Associate Professor of Neurology Cheryl Bushnell said: 'As more people survive strokes, physicians and other healthcare providers should pay attention to quality of life issues and work to develop better interventions, even gender-specific screening tools, to improve these patients' lives.'
Dr Bushnell continued: 'We found that age, race and marital status accounted for the biggest differences between men and women at three months, with marital status being the most important.'
The results are published in the journal Neurology.
Copyright Press Association 2014