Stroke in men
A sharp headache, weakness, problems with coordination – all these are signs of a stroke in men. This disease kills many people every year. Together with experts, we will discuss how to prevent a stroke and what to do if it occurs

Stroke in men is a common disease and one of the most common causes of disability. According to statistics in 2018, 31% of patients after a stroke needed constant care, 20% partially lost the ability to move, and only 8% returned to their usual way of life. There is another sad statistic – 35% of stroke patients die in the acute period. Therefore, prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment of this disease is an urgent problem for many people.

We spoke with our experts about the causes of stroke in men and how to prevent it from developing. We learned about the signs of a stroke in men, first aid methods and modern methods of treatment.

What is a stroke

A stroke in men is an acute violation of cerebral circulation.1. With a stroke, blood flow to a part of the brain is sharply reduced, because of which its functions are impaired, and often part of the brain tissue dies.

Types of Stroke

  • An ischemic stroke occurs when the arteries in the brain narrow or become blocked due to a blood clot, vasospasm due to an injury or tumor.1. A decrease in blood flow leads to ischemia – oxygen starvation of brain cells and their death. This type of stroke occurs in 80% of cases.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke develops due to rupture of the vessel and hemorrhage in the brain and is less common – in about 20% of cases1.

Signs of a stroke in men

Signs of a stroke in men and women are fundamentally different. Symptoms usually increase gradually – over several hours or days. But sometimes the attack develops very quickly. The following signs will help to recognize acute cerebrovascular accident2:

  • paralysis or partial numbness of the limbs;
  • muscle weakness;
  • sharp severe headache;
  • dizziness;
  • lack of coordination;
  • impaired vision;
  • facial asymmetry;
  • speech disorders.

There are stroke recognition techniques that can be used at home. One of the techniques is called USP.

  • First, the person is asked to smile (U). With a stroke, the smile will be “crooked”, one corner of the mouth will rise higher.
  • The person should then speak (C). With a stroke, pronunciation is usually disturbed, it is difficult for the patient to pronounce the usual phrase.
  • The third request is to raise your hands (P). If one arm is difficult to lift, it could be a sign of a stroke.

Causes of stroke in men

An unhealthy lifestyle is the main cause of stroke in men. Unfortunately, most of the stronger sex does not eat well, have bad habits and rarely visit a doctor for a preventive examination. The list of the most common causes of stroke in men looks like this1:

  • arterial hypertension;
  • cardiac ischemia;
  • obesity;
  • bleeding disorders;
  • diabetes;
  • heart rhythm disturbances;
  • smoking;
  • alcohol abuse.

It has been proven that people with arterial hypertension develop a stroke 7-10 times more often than people with normal pressure.1,3. With coronary heart disease, the risk of stroke increases by 2 times, with atrial fibrillation – by 3-4 times3. Smoking and alcohol abuse increase the risk of stroke by 2-4 times1.

Treatment of stroke in men

Doctors have the concept of a “therapeutic window” for stroke. This is the period of time during which medical care will be most effective and help avoid serious complications.2. The duration of this period is 3-4 hours2. Stroke treatment begins with emergency care. After that, the patient undergoes a course of therapy in a hospital, and after discharge is sent for rehabilitation.

First aid for stroke in men

What can you doLay the person on their back, loosen clothing, provide airflow
What not to doGive medicine, feed and drink

If a stroke is suspected, an ambulance is immediately called. Before the arrival of doctors, you need to help the patient take a comfortable position – usually on his side or on his back with his head raised by 30˚3. A window is opened in the room, tight clothing is unfastened on the victim, a belt or belt is removed. Do not give the patient food or drink, because with a spasm in the airways, he may suffocate. When the urge to vomit, the victim is laid on his side so that the vomit does not interfere with breathing3. If the patient has stopped breathing or his pulse is not felt, artificial respiration and chest compressions are performed.

Diagnostics

A preliminary diagnosis can be made on the basis of symptoms, but instrumental and laboratory methods are needed for a more accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic information is obtained using CT and MRI, ECG, CT or MR angiography. Additionally, studies such as:

  • a detailed clinical blood test with ESR indicators;
  • extended coagulogram;
  • biochemical blood test with the determination of the level of glucose, C-reactive protein, platelet count;
  • general urine analysis.

If surgery is planned, an additional blood test is performed for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, determination of the blood group and Rh factor.

Modern treatments

In the vast majority of cases, stroke treatment in men and women begins with hospitalization. Patients with acute cerebrovascular accident are hospitalized in specialized vascular centers or specialized departments of hospitals1.

The main task at the first stage of therapy is to restore blood flow in the affected vessel and prevent the death of brain cells or reduce the amount of necrosis.2.

Patients with ischemic stroke are given thrombolytics – drugs to dissolve a blood clot that has clogged an artery2. Thrombolytic therapy is prescribed in the absence of contraindications and if no more than 4,5 hours have passed since the first symptoms of a stroke2.

In addition to thrombolytics, for the treatment of ischemic stroke, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents3. Anticoagulants inhibit the activity of proteins that are needed for blood clots to form. Antiplatelet agents prevent platelets from sticking together and prevent blood clots from forming.3.

A hemorrhagic stroke requires neurosurgery to stop bleeding in the brain and remove blood clots.3.

The following may also be used to treat stroke in men:

  • drugs to lower blood pressure;
  • anticonvulsants;
  • glucocorticosteroid hormones.

After relief of acute symptoms, neuroprotective agents, antioxidants, nootropics, vasoactive drugs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants are prescribed.1.

Treatment of a stroke in men necessarily includes rehabilitation. Rehabilitation measures begin in the hospital and continue after discharge – at home or in specialized medical institutions. For recovery after a stroke, massage, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy are prescribed: magnetotherapy, laser therapy, ozocerite, paraffin applications, hydroprocedures. Speech gymnastics classes help improve speech, and sessions with a psychologist help restore a normal emotional state.

Rehabilitation is the most important stage in the treatment of stroke in men. Rehabilitation measures help restore impaired body functions and reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.

Stroke prevention in men at home

A healthy lifestyle is the best measure to prevent stroke in men. Be sure to need reasonable physical activity – training in the gym, swimming, or at least walking for 30-40 minutes a day. It is important to follow the regime of the day, go to bed and get up at the same time. You need to give up fast food, fried and fatty foods, and include fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean meats and fish in your diet. Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol is considered one of the most effective measures to prevent stroke in men.

Popular questions and answers

Stroke is a very common condition that can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, many are interested in how to recognize signs of cerebrovascular accident, when to see a doctor and whether it is possible to do without medical help. Our experts answer the most popular questions.

How is a stroke different from a heart attack?

A stroke is a violation of blood circulation and necrosis of a part of the brain. In a heart attack, similar processes occur in the heart muscle. Although ischemic stroke is called cerebral infarction, it should not be confused with myocardial infarction.

At what age are men at higher risk of stroke?

Cardiovascular disease is very “younger”, so the risk of stroke in men increases after 40 years.

What are the complications of a stroke in men?

If not to mention the death, then the main complication of a stroke is considered to be complete or partial paralysis, loss of speech and its defects, loss or impairment of vision, hearing and memory.

When do doctors need help with a stroke?

Medical care for a stroke is needed in any case. You should immediately contact a doctor if a person has facial asymmetry, dizziness, impaired speech and vision, confusion and loss of consciousness, a sharp decrease in memory. With stroke, the arms and legs often lose sensitivity and mobility.

Can a stroke go away on its own?

Sometimes it can, if a small area of ​​the brain is damaged. But even in this case, the consequences can be unpredictable. Therefore, if a stroke is suspected, a person needs medical supervision and assistance.

Sources:

  1. Stroke. Lectures for doctors. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. I. I. Mechnikov. St. Petersburg 2016. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/insult/viewer
  2. Clinical guidelines for thrombolytic therapy in ischemic stroke. Research Institute of Stroke, Russian State Medical University. http://minzdrav.saratov.gov.ru/1/Rekomendacii_TLT.pdf
  3. Clinical recommendations for the provision of emergency medical care for acute disorders of cerebral circulation. https://monikismp.ru/files/————————————.pdf

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