After a stroke: Women are more likely than men to die within the first year

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Women were 39% more likely to die within 1 year of their first stroke. According to a new study published in the Journal of Women's Health, the difference between the sexes is explained by older age and more severe strokes in women.

Among women and men who had a stroke for the first time, women were about 7 years older . In addition, 9.3% fewer women were able to walk independently at hospital admission, indicating a more severe stroke.

Among those who died from any cause, men had more cancer deaths (12% vs. 6% of women) and coronary heart disease (8% vs. 6% of women), while women had more deaths related to stroke (50% vs. 41% of men. ) or other cardiovascular diseases (16% vs. 13% of men), say Dominique Cadillac, PhD, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, and co-authors.

“Cadillac and colleagues showed that women's risk of stroke-related death was 65 % higher. “Women are not only more likely to be older at their first stroke and have a greater stroke severity, but they are also less likely to receive aspirin for secondary stroke prevention,” says Susan G. Kornstein.