ESOC 2022 | Disparities in stroke care: why are older women undertreated?

Sex differences are apparent in stroke, with women having worse functional outcomes, lower quality of life, more severe stroke, and worse pre-stroke disability compared to men. Cheryl Bushnell, MD, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, NC, comments on these disparities, highlighting the undertreatment of older women with stroke. Women tend to be older at the time of stroke, meaning they are more likely to live alone, as well as having more comorbidities and worse pre-stroke function. These factors contribute to the worse outcomes faced by women. Additionally, some evidence suggests women are less likely to receive acute treatment, despite achieving comparable treatment benefits. Dr Bushnell emphasizes the importance of raising awareness of sex differences in stroke and making them a research priority. This interview took place at the ESOC 2022 congress in Lyon, France.