Neurológia pre prax 6/2014

Specifics of cerebrovascular diseases in women

Stroke is currently a serious problem concerning health, social and economic issues. Although the risk of stroke for certain age groups is higher in men than in women, female’s contribution to the overall stroke count is greater because of their relative long evity combined with a higher incidence of stroke in the highest age groups. Increased prevalence of certain risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation and worse functional disability at the onset of stroke was identified in female cohorts. Women with acute stroke are less likely to receive systemic thrombolytic therapy compared to men. After the stroke women achieve worse final performance status, they receive poorer social support and are more likely to suffer from depression.

Keywords: stroke, female, risk factors, therapy.