A new report suggests women fare worse than men after surviving a stroke both physically and mentally.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation study also finds that women in particular are not getting the necessary support to manage anxiety and depression after recovering. While the physical effects are well known, scientists say the emotional impact is often ignored leaving patients unprepared. Researchers note that while less visible than physical effects, they are just as devastating.

Globally, women are up to 70 % more likely to become anxious and depressed after a stroke than men.

Researchers say stroke risk triples during pregnancy, and is also higher after menopause and for elderly women because strokes can be more severe then, putting them at risk of dying.

In 2019, almost a third more women died of stroke than men, and women’s outcomes are worse when they do survive a stroke.