Stroke Risk: Are Males More Prone?

Men are more likely to have a stroke at a younger age than women. However, women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke. This is because women tend to live longer than men, and the risk of stroke increases with age.

In addition, men tend to exhibit better-known symptoms, such as face drooping, weakness on one side, and difficulty speaking. This means that bystanders and medical personnel may recognize strokes more quickly in men, reducing the time between the stroke and treatment.

There are also differences in the rehabilitation and discharge of people who have had a stroke. Doctors are more likely to discharge men than women, and men are also more likely to not require home care after discharge. This may be because men tend to be younger than women when they have strokes, so their bodies may be better able to recover.

Men are more likely to have a stroke at a younger age

Biological Factors

Sex steroid hormones, particularly oestrogen, play a significant role in the sex differences observed in stroke. Oestrogen has protective effects on the cerebrovascular system, promoting blood flow and dilation of blood vessels. Testosterone, on the other hand, has the opposite effect, constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow. This difference in hormone levels contributes to the higher risk of stroke in men, especially at younger ages.

Behavioural and Lifestyle Factors

Men are more likely to engage in behaviours that increase their risk of stroke, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. These behaviours are more prevalent in men and can significantly increase their risk of stroke, especially at younger ages. Additionally, men are less likely to seek medical attention or be aware of stroke symptoms, which can delay treatment and worsen outcomes.

Implications for Prevention and Treatment

The higher risk of stroke in younger men highlights the importance of early prevention and education. Targeted interventions and awareness campaigns can help men understand their risk factors and make lifestyle changes to reduce their stroke risk. Additionally, healthcare providers should be aware of the unique risk factors and symptoms in men to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Men are more likely to experience hemiplegia, aphasia, and facial palsy

Men are more likely to experience these symptoms due to several factors. Firstly, men tend to develop strokes at a younger age than women. This is because women have a longer life expectancy, and stroke event rates increase with age. Additionally, men have a higher prevalence of risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and chewing khat. These risk factors can contribute to the development of hemiplegia, aphasia, and facial palsy.

Furthermore, studies have shown that men are more likely to experience specific types of stroke, such as cardioembolic stroke, which is typically more severe than other ischemic stroke mechanisms. This increased risk of cardioembolic stroke in men is associated with the higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation in older men.

Overall, the interplay between age, risk factors, and stroke subtype contributes to the higher likelihood of men experiencing hemiplegia, aphasia, and facial palsy after a stroke.

Smoking, drinking, and khat chewing are risk factors for stroke in men

A stroke is a vascular accident that affects both men and women. However, the incidence rates and outcome status of stroke vary between the sexes.

A study conducted in Ethiopia found that a significantly higher number of male patients were smokers, alcohol consumers, and khat chewers than female patients. Younger age, cigarette smoking, and khat chewing were risk factors for stroke in males.

Another study found that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are more common in males than in females.

In addition, a study from the US found that cigarette smoking and alcohol intake are associated with stroke morbidity and mortality.

Men are more likely to experience paresis and focal visual disturbances, like double vision

While there are no stroke symptoms unique to men, research suggests that men are more likely to experience paresis and focal visual disturbances, such as double vision. However, the differences in the frequency of symptoms between men and women are not significant.

A 2022 research review found that men were more likely to experience paresis and focal visual disturbances, like double vision. However, the same study found no significant differences between the sexes with regard to focal symptoms. Focal symptoms are those related to a specific area of the brain, such as slurred speech, vertigo, and paresis.

In contrast, women were more likely to experience nonfocal symptoms, such as confusion, headache, and chest pain. Nonfocal symptoms are not specific to a certain brain area and are often nonspecific, meaning they can be confused for other conditions.

Men are more likely to be discharged from the hospital without requiring home care

There are significant differences in the rehabilitation and discharge of people who have had a stroke. These differences may suggest that doctors need to consider the sex and age of a person in care planning.

One study found that doctors were more likely to discharge males than females. Males were also more likely to not require home care after discharge.

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