Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data estimates that about 140,000 Americans will die due to stroke complications each year. To put that into other terms, about 5% of all deaths in the country are caused by a stroke. Despite how prevalent strokes are, they are still often misdiagnosed and misunderstood, especially when speaking of mini, mild, and moderate cases.
Last year, we discussed common stroke symptoms in women, who are statistically more likely to suffer a stroke than men. Although the average woman may be at a higher stroke risk than the average man, it is still crucial that men can recognize stroke symptoms, too. Being able to rapidly react to a stroke not only helps improve the chances of preventing long-term or life-threatening consequences, but it also helps relay crucial information to a medical provider to lower the chances of a misdiagnosis.
How Men Experience a Stroke
For the most part, men suffer typical symptoms of a stroke without any unique or distinct complications. However, men may be more inclined to try to shrug or “walk off” the symptoms of a mini stroke, also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Mini strokes may resolve themselves within 24 hours but that does not make them harmless by any means. The complications caused by a stroke of any severity may create life-threatening symptoms that should be addressed urgently.
Common stroke symptoms that men may try to ignore include:
- Temporary vision loss or blurred sight
- Weakness in arms and legs, most commonly affecting just one side
- Abrupt nausea or a brief vomiting episode
- Unexplained exhaustion or sleepiness
- Breathing difficulty
- Sudden, intense headache
- Sudden balance loss or feeling of dizziness
Men who survive strokes are expected to have a better chance at a quick recovery than women, too. Yet, again, the chance to recover will only be maximized when accurate, informed medical attention is delivered as soon as possible after a stroke. Doctors who do not know to look for the telltale symptoms of a stroke in men, or who disregard their patients’ symptoms as exaggerations, risk causing a dangerous misdiagnosis.
Stroke Misdiagnosis Lawsuits
Men who have suffered a stroke but been misdiagnosed by their medical providers can seek justice and compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. From our Philadelphia-based law office, Golomb Legalbrings trustworthy and experienced legal representation to men who have suffered strokes but were not diagnosed correctly by doctors and medical support staff members. To see if we can help you file a claim of your own, please call (215) 278-4449 at any time.