Strokes are often thought of as a condition affecting older adults, but new national data show strokes among younger adults have doubled over the past 30 years.
That trend has doctors searching for answers while urging younger people not to ignore warning signs or skip routine medical care.
Dr. Michelle Leppert, a vascular neurologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, said researchers still do not fully understand what is driving the increase.
Some experts point to a rise in certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, but Leppert said it can’t be the only explanation. Otherwise, she would expect to see a similar increase in heart attacks among young adults — and there isn’t one.
Leppert also noted that strokes are occurring more often in women under 45 than in men, highlighting the need for more research.
Leppert emphasized the American Stroke Association’s BE FAST mnemonic for recognizing stroke symptoms:
“The faster you can get in, the better chance we have of reversing these symptoms,” she said.
She said younger adults should not ignore sudden headaches or any new neurological symptoms.
Leppert’s advice for young adults is straightforward: don’t skip your annual wellness visits. Even healthy people in their 20s, 30s and 40s may have risk factors that can be identified during routine checkups.
She also said young women who experience migraines with aura should talk with their health care provider about birth control options that do not contain any estrogen.
