This article discusses the signs of stroke in men, how to understand your risk for stroke, and how to prevent one.
Symptoms
Stroke symptoms for men and women are similar and include:
Severe headache with unknown reason Numbness or weakness of the face, arms, and/or legs (usually on one side) Confusion, difficulty understanding speech, and trouble speaking Vision problems in one or both eyes Difficulty walking Dizziness and loss of balance or coordination
Less common stroke symptoms may include:
Sudden nausea or vomiting for an unknown reason Fainting, seizures, or coma
There is some evidence to suggest disparities in “time to treatment” between women and men, which can increase long-term disability and death rates. Some scientists suspect that the disparity may be due to men and women reporting different symptoms.
An older study analyzed stroke symptoms from patient interviews and classified the symptoms as either non-traditional or traditional. Non-traditional stroke symptoms included:
PainMental status changeLightheadedness
After accounting for sex, the study found that women were more likely to report non-traditional symptoms than men. Most commonly, women reported mental status changes, including confusion, disorientation, fatigue, or other unusual behavior.
Warning Signs
Use the FAST acronym to remember stroke warning signs to look for:
F = Facial drooping, including numbness and one-sided droopingA = Arm weakness or numbness, especially on one sideS = Speech slurring or difficultyT = Time to call 911 fast and inform the emergency person when symptoms began
The faster a patient gets help, the more likely they are to recover from a stroke. The length of time it takes to get a patient to the hospital may also determine the treatment options available to them.
Mini-Strokes
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, is a stroke that causes symptoms that last from a few minutes to about an hour. Men and women may decide not to seek treatment because their symptoms have resolved.
However, TIAs can be “warning strokes,” which may be followed by more TIAs, larger strokes, or other cardiovascular issues in the following weeks. More than a third of people who have a TIA have a more significant stroke within one year, and as many as 15% have a major stroke within three months.
If you or a loved one experiences any stroke symptoms—even for a few minutes—it’s essential to seek treatment immediately.
Risk Factors
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke in men. Almost half of men in the United States have high blood pressure (over 130/80 millimeters of mercury, or mmHg). Some take blood pressure medication to keep their blood pressure within a healthy range.
However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4 out of 5 men with high blood pressure do not have their blood pressure controlled in a healthy range.
What to Do
If you or someone else is having stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Smoking: Causes vessel damage that increases the chance of strokeHaving obesity: About 3 out of 4 men in the U. S. are overweight or have obesityDiabetes: Affects blood vessels in the brainToo much alcohol: Alcohol raises blood pressure and causes other cardiovascular issues that increase the risk of strokeNot exercising enough: Most men in the U. S. do not meet exercise standards
Do not drive them to the hospital. An ambulance can begin treatment on the person upon arrival and triage them on the way to the hospital.
Calling 911 will ensure that the patient receives medical attention and treatment as quickly as possible.
Treatment
Upon arriving at the hospital, the health team will ask about:
Person’s medical historyOnset time of stroke symptoms
Brain imaging will be ordered to determine the type of stroke you had. The two types of imaging used to diagnose a stroke include:
CT scan Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
After imaging, you will work with a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, or another specialist to determine the proper care plan based on your diagnosis and the results of your tests.
If you arrive at the hospital and receive an ischemic stroke diagnosis within three hours of your symptom onset, you may be eligible for a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), known as a “clot-busting treatment.” This is why it’s essential to call 911 the first moment a stroke is suspected.
TPA has risks that you can discuss with your care team. However, research has shown that patients who receive TPA:
Are more likely to fully recoverHave less disability than patients who don’t receive the drugAre less likely to need long-term care in a skilled nursing facility
Other stroke treatment options include:
Medication Surgery or other procedures to stop bleeding Endovascular procedures, such as coiling to remove a clot
Recovery
Everyone recovers from a stroke differently. Some people have a full recovery, but it can take months to years of rehabilitation. In some cases, people never fully recover and have lifelong disabilities.
Some of the residual effects of a stroke that people may have include:
Paralysis, weakness, or numbness on one or both sides Difficulty with memory, thinking, judgment, awareness, attention, learning, and judgment Difficulty speaking or understanding speech Trouble controlling or expressing emotions Extremity pain Difficulty chewing or swallowing Bladder and bowel control issues Depression and anxiety
Stroke recovery will include working with specialists such as:
Speech therapists: Help people with language and swallowing skills Occupational therapists: Help with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, eating, and writing Physical therapists: Help the person re-learn body movement and coordination affected by the stroke
Prevention
80% of strokes are preventable by proactively taking care of medical conditions and making healthy lifestyle changes. Before starting a new exercise routine or taking over-the-counter medications, always talk to your healthcare provider.
Ways to prevent strokes include:
Control blood pressure through exercise and medication if needed. Take medications per your healthcare provider’s orders. Manage health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure per your provider’s ordersTake aspirin to help reduce stroke risk. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking aspirin, because it can worsen some types of strokes. Manage cholesterol with a healthy diet and exercise. Don’t smoke. If you smoke, find resources that can help you quit. Eat a healthy diet. Choose healthy vegetables, foods high in fiber and whole grains, and foods with low salt if you have high blood pressure. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Men and women age 18 and older should get at least two hours and 30 minutes of physical movement per week and do muscle training at least two times per week.
Talk to your healthcare provider about ways that you can prevent a stroke based on your specific risk factors, health conditions, and concerns.
Summary
A stroke is a medical emergency caused by a lack of oxygenated blood flow to the brain. Strokes can present differently in men. The most common stroke symptoms for men include severe headache, numbness or weakness of the face, legs, and arms, confusion, vision issues, difficulty walking, and loss of balance. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke in men, so managing underlying conditions like this one can help prevent stroke.
A Word From Verywell
Having a stroke is a major life event that can significantly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, about 80% of strokes are preventable by proactively taking care of medical conditions and making healthy lifestyle changes. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to lower your risk for stroke. Stroke survivors and loved ones both benefit from understanding stroke risk and preventative measures.
Paralysis, weakness, or numbness or both on one sideDifficulty with memory, thinking, judgment, awareness, attention, learning, or judgmentDifficulty speaking or understanding speechTrouble controlling or expressing emotionsExtremity painDifficulty chewing and swallowingBladder and bowel control issues
If someone had a silent stroke (a stroke that doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms), the damage would appear on an MRI or CT scan.
Severe headache with unknown reasonNumbness or weakness of the face, legs, and arms, often occurring on one sideConfusion, difficulty understanding speech, and trouble speakingVision problems in one or both eyesDifficulty walkingDizziness and loss of balance
Less common stroke symptoms may include:
Sudden nausea or vomiting for an unknown reasonFainting, seizures, or coma
