Stroke symptoms in women often differ from traditional signs

In the Netherlands, women are experiencing different and often more subtle symptoms of strokes compared to men, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. While traditional signs include a drooping mouth or a weak arm, female patients frequently present with atypical symptoms such as sudden confusion, disorientation, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or sudden intense anxiety.

Data from the Hartstichting indicates that in 2024, over 42,000 people in the Netherlands suffered a stroke, and nearly 53,000 experienced a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). This averages to 116 strokes and 144 TIAs per day. Approximately 80 percent of these cases are ischemic strokes, while 20 percent are brain hemorrhages.

In 2024, nearly 9,400 people died from stroke consequences, averaging 26 deaths per day. Of these, 15 were women and 11 were men. The average age of women who died from a stroke was 84, compared to 80 for men. Experts suggest that hormonal differences may play a role in why these symptom variations occur.