Depression and anxiety after suffering a stroke impacts women 20 to 70 per cent more than men.

And when they experience post-stroke depression, a woman’s chance of becoming independent and of returning home is lower,  and their chance of dying increases.

According to Dr. Sepideh Pooyiana, Service Chief for Stroke Rehabilitation at Riverview Health Center in Winnipeg, they also have added risk factors for stroke.

“There are two stages in each woman’s life that put them at risk for stroke. One is during pregnancy, stroke is three times more common in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women. The other is right after menopause and when they are elderly.”

It’s been found fewer women participate in stroke rehabilitation, often because they try to pick up where they left off as care-givers to others.

They are also under-represented in clinical stroke trials and report lack of support systems at home.

For more on the impact of stroke for women, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.