In the event of a stroke, whether it affects us or someone close to us, it is crucial to respond quickly to ensure the best possible outcome. Recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to act are essential. Unfortunately, misinformation about this cerebrovascular condition can lead to confusion and serious health consequences.
A stroke occurs when blood flow in the arteries supplying the brain is blocked or when bleeding occurs within the brain or its surrounding membranes. This interruption prevents the brain from receiving the necessary blood supply, depriving nerve cells of oxygen and causing them to stop functioning. A stroke is also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
The brain is an extremely complex organ that regulates many bodily functions. Therefore, if a stroke occurs and blood flow cannot reach the area controlling a specific body function, that part will not operate as it should. A stroke is sometimes colloquially referred to as a brain infarction, distinguishing it from a heart attack, which happens when blood flow to the heart muscle is significantly reduced or cut off due to narrowed coronary arteries.
Main Symptoms of a Stroke
Stroke symptoms can vary widely. According to the Spanish Society of Neurology, the most common signs include sudden loss of strength in the face, arm, and/or leg on one side of the body; changes in perception and sensations such as numbness or tingling in the face, arm, and/or leg on one side; sudden partial or total loss of vision in one or both eyes; sudden speech disturbances and difficulty being understood; imbalance; an unusual sudden headache without a clear cause; and feelings of dizziness. A crooked mouth is another symptom to watch for.
The American Heart Association notes that some stroke symptoms can differ between men and women. While certain symptoms can appear in both sexes, women may also experience more generalized warning signs, such as overall weakness, disorientation, confusion, memory problems, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
“It is not that women show different symptoms than men during a stroke; rather, it appears that atypical symptoms, which can also occur in men, are more frequently detected in women,” explained Esther Samper, a doctor specializing in cardiovascular tissue engineering. However, she cautioned that underdiagnosis in women and the lack of high-quality comparative studies complicate the understanding of differences in stroke presentations between men and women, highlighting the need for further research.
Immediate Response to a Stroke
Although most stroke patients display a combination of these symptoms, experiencing even one should be treated as an emergency, as emphasized by the Spanish Society of Neurology. At the first signs of a stroke, it is essential to call emergency services immediately and not attempt to transport the patient to the hospital by personal means.
Strokes can be classified into ischemic, caused by a blood clot blocking a brain vessel, and hemorrhagic, resulting from a weakened blood vessel that ruptures. If either situation occurs, brain tissue can die due to a lack of oxygen and essential nutrients.
According to the Spanish Stroke Federation, modifiable risk factors for preventing ischemic strokes include established risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and sickle cell anemia, as well as factors like obesity, physical inactivity, glucose intolerance, and alcoholism.
While it is possible to reduce the risk of having a stroke through general preventive measures—such as consuming a healthy diet with less meat and more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking—there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of having a stroke.
Other essential preventive measures involve maintaining normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels, having annual health check-ups, and regularly monitoring and controlling high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
Importance of Gender-Sensitive Medicine
Understanding the differences in stroke symptoms between men and women is vital. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death among women, claiming more lives than in men: one in five women will experience a stroke. In Spain, cerebrovascular diseases were the second most common cause of death among women in 2021.
Moreover, factors such as pregnancy, preeclampsia, and the use of contraceptive pills can increase women”s stroke risk. “While high blood pressure is not directly related to gender, in a woman”s life, pregnancy, contraception, and menopause can elevate the risk of developing hypertension,” the American Heart Association notes.
Some general symptoms women may experience during a stroke can be quite subtle and easily overlooked, delaying diagnosis and treatment, which can worsen outcomes. Historically, scientific research has predominantly tested medications on men and male animals, impacting women”s health.
Furthermore, clinical trials for treatments and medications have historically been biased towards male participation, evident in cardiological and neurological studies. It is a misconception that men and women perceive illnesses and respond to medications in the same way; studies have shown they often respond differently to pharmacological treatments. This research bias significantly affects women”s health.
Thus, gender-sensitive medicine is crucial. Scientific research with a gender perspective has revealed that women who smoke are 20% to 70% more likely to develop lung cancer than men who smoke the same number of cigarettes. Additionally, women seeking treatment for drug abuse have two to three times the likelihood of also suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder compared to men. Women are approximately ten times more likely to contract HIV during unprotected sex than men and experience more intense pain more frequently in various parts of the body for longer durations than men.
