What health problems are contributing to the increase in stroke among younger people? Dr. Willey: The main ones elaborated on in the CDC report and ones we have seen from other studies are a rise in obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, and high blood pressure in younger people. This is translating to earlier cardiovascular disease and stroke, as the report outlines. In terms of high blood pressure, for example, it has been estimated that if it is treated, it would help prevent 50% of strokes in the U.S.

Other than cardiovascular conditions and obesity, the opioid overdose epidemic may also be contributing to the rise in young people. There has been an increase in intravenous (IV) opioid use, and IV drug use is linked to infections in heart valves that can cause strokes.

Are the signs of stroke in younger people similar to those in older people? The symptoms of stroke in both younger and older patients tend to be similar, though young patients outcomes tend to be better because at baseline, they have a better physical status, such as fitness and mobility. Since stroke tends to be less common in those who are younger, symptoms could be mistaken for a migraine, pinched nerves, or multiple sclerosis.

What are the different kinds of strokes? There are two major types of strokes. One of them is ischemic, which is like a blocked pipe. When this occurs, blood is not getting to a certain part of the brain and that part of the brain dies. There is also a hemorrhagic stroke, which is when the arteries burst.

In the U.S., ischemic stroke is about 80% of all strokes, though there is significant differences by communities. Communities that have higher rates of high blood pressure and social determinants of health are more likely to present with hemorrhagic stroke. This kind of stroke has a higher chance of being fatal compared to an ischemic stroke. Patients with this type of stroke present uniformly with a severe onset, rapid headache, often an impairment of consciousness, which you do not necessarily see with other types of stroke.

Younger patients tend to have different types of stroke but for the most part, the rates of hemorrhagic strokes and ischemic strokes remain the same. One notable exception is pregnancy-related strokes, where hemorrhagic ones can be more likely.

If someone is having a stroke, what can people keep in mind in terms of improving outcomes? Most people can identify signs and symptoms of a heart attack, but not for stroke, so it is important to be familiar with them.The acronym BE FAST covers most stroke symptoms. In 2021, the AHA endorsed a version of BE FAST in Spanish: RPIDO. It is important to emphasize that if someone has these symptoms, and they only lasted a few minutes, it could be a sign that a bigger stroke is about to come. People should still come to the hospital as quickly as possible.

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What to Know About the Rising Stroke Rates in Younger People - Health Matters