Rising Strokes Among Young Adults

The word "stroke" may bring to mind someone elderly suffering from the condition in a movie. However, after 40 years of declining stroke-related mortality, strokes are on the rise among adults younger than 45. But before diving into why there's an uptick in the condition, it's important to know what a stroke is.

A stroke happens during disruptions in blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a clot, blockage or a blood vessel burst, leading to a brain bleed. And when the brain doesn't get enough oxygen and nutrients, brain cells die within minutes, causing permanent damage.

The most common age for strokes is 71 among men and 76 among women. However, a recent study shows a disturbing trend of increasing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) stroke rates in young adults. These are the second most common type of stroke but also the most deadly. ICH stroke rates are also 43% higher among men than women.

In recent years, high blood pressure rates rose from 74.5% to 86.4%, which is an important connection because hypertension increases your risk of stroke. Other ICH risk factors include being over 55, having liver disease, overuse of alcohol, smoking, using blood thinners, having a history of stroke and being African American or Asian.

Approximately 800,000 people suffer strokes yearly, and 15% are among people between 18 and 50. It's believed that the rising number of strokes in younger people is due to underlying diseases and declining health. Young people who have suffered from strokes also tend to have hypertension, diabetes or obesity.

While some genetic diseases can't be changed,maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and quitting smoking can reduce the risk of stroke. It is also essential to manage medical conditions contributing to stroke risk, including stress.

If you think someone is having a stroke because they are having trouble seeing, speaking, understanding speech, seem confused, or have weakness on one side of the body, use the F.A.S.T. method of evaluation:

Face: Is one side of their face drooping?
Arms: Can the person lift both arms? Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Is the person's speech slurred or strange?
Time: Time is important. Call 9-1-1 right away.

Remember, knowing the signs and risk factors is an important way to lower your risk for stroke, no matter your age.

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