Table 1.
Risk Factor | Prevalence | Association with IS | Treatment Disparity |
---|---|---|---|
Hypertension | Lower in women (vs. men) in younger age groups, higher in older age groups | Similar in women (vs. men) in younger age groups, higher in older age groups | In younger age groups, women more likely to have BP controlled; in older age groups, women less likely to have BP controlled. |
Dyslipidemia | Data conflict; either similar between sexes or lower in women | Lower in women | Women less likely to be on statins and have LDL controlled. |
Atrial Fibrillation | Higher in women | Higher in women | Women less likely to be prescribed oral anticoagulants, less likely to have cardiac ablation, and receive lower doses of NOACs. |
Migraine | Higher in women | Higher in women. | Unknown if migraine treatment reduces stroke risk. |
Diabetes | Similar women vs. men | Higher in women | Data conflict regarding sex differences in meeting HbA1c goal |
Cognitive Impairment | Higher in women | Unknown whether there is a sex difference | Women less likely to be treated with anti-dementia drugs |
IS: Ischemic stroke. BP: blood pressure. NOAC: novel oral anticoagulant. HbA1c: glycated hemoglobin