Sex and stroke risk factors: A review of differences and impact

There is an increase in stroke incidence risk over the lifetime of women, given their longer life expectancy. However, an alarming trend for sex disparities, particularly in certain stroke risk factors, shows a concerning need for focus on sex differences in stroke prevention and treatment for women. In this article, we are addressing sex differences in both traditional and sex-specific stroke risk factors.

We searched PubMed from inception to December 2022 for articles related to sex differences and risk factors for stroke. We reviewed full-text articles for relevance and ultimately included 152 articles for this focused review.

Women are at increased risk for stroke from both traditional and non-traditional stroke risk factors. As women age, they have a higher disease burden of atrial fibrillation, increased risk of stroke related to diabetes, worsening lipid profiles, and higher prevalence of hypertension and obesity compared to men. Further, women carry sex hormone-specific risk factors for stroke, including the age of menarche, menopause, pregnancy, and its complications, as well as hormonal therapy. Men have a higher prevalence of tobacco use and atrial fibrillation, as well as an increased risk for stroke related to hyperlipidemia. Additionally, men have sex-specific risks related to low testosterone levels.

By identifying biological sex-specific risk factors for stroke, developing robust collaborations, researching, and applying the knowledge for risk reduction strategies, we can begin to tailor prevention and reduce the global burden of stroke morbidity and mortality.