Women, stroke and mental health The Beat by Heart & Stroke

Anyone can experience a stroke, but they affect men and women differently. Women are often in caregiver positions, meaning they sometimes don’t take the time to prioritize their recovery and mental health after a stroke, leading to worse outcomes. 

In this episode, we hear from Lisa Meeches, who experienced a stroke while attending a powwow with her family. Through the support of her community, Lisa was able to take the time she needed to recover- but still faced mental health challenges that she had to work hard to overcome. Dr Tennen of Sunnybrook Health Sciences then speaks about her experience as a psychiatrist working with patients after a stroke, and why there needs to be more studies that focus on sex differences in stroke outcomes. Both guests emphasize the mental health struggles women face in stroke recovery, and that more needs to be done to ensure that anyone who has experienced a stroke gets the mental health support they need. 

For more information on women and stroke, visit: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/what-is-stroke/types-of-stroke/women-and-stroke