The number of strokes higher in women when it is cold

The likelihood of stroke increases when temperatures drop. And women are particularly vulnerable, according to a study conducted by the University of São Paulo (Brazil). Published in the International Journal of Biometeorology it establishes a link between meteorological variations and this severe vascular incident.

To establish this relationship, scientists badyzed more than 55 000 deaths in the financial capital of Brazil between 2002 and 2011. During this period, average temperatures per month varied from 15 to 25 ° C.

Two extreme temperatures

Better to stay in this range, to believe the results achieved by the team. When mercury falls below 15 ° C, the relative risk of stroke increases sharply. It is doubled in men and climbs 39% in women. Beyond age 65, this risk is equivalent to that of men.

But during the study, the scientists found that these ladies suffer more from stroke than men, and that they die more, facing temperatures cooler than usual.

A type of incident occurs particularly often when it is cold: the haemorrhagic stroke, consequence of the rupture of a major blood vessel

This imbalance does not occur when the mercury rushes and exceeds 26 ° C. Older men are more at risk of stroke, which is not seen in women.

More Fragile Women

How to explain these inequalities? Older people are more vulnerable to temperature variations, explain the scientists behind this study. "Because of a reduced metabolism, they are less able to maintain their homeostasis in response to temperature changes," write the signatories of the publication.

In case of extreme cold, the blood becomes more viscous. This increases the blood pressure but also the number of platelets. Two factors that promote the development of stroke

If we add the female risk factors (hormones, anatomical fragility, lifestyle, etc.), many elements are combined to promote the occurrence of a stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke. This could explain the largest number of incidents.