Stroke Rates Are Rising in Young Adults—Experts Reveal How To Cut Risk
Stroke rates are rising in adults aged 20 to 54, but experts say healthy habits can reduce risk.Summary
A University of Cincinnati study found that adults aged 20 to 54 are almost twice as likely to have a stroke now as they were about three decades ago. Experts told Newsweek that while strokes in younger patients remain relatively rare, the trend is concerning because the health burden of a young stroke is staggering and can affect patients for years. Main risk factors include age, high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, smoking, unhealthy diet, family history, and ethnicity. To reduce risk, experts recommend following the American Heart Association's "Life's Essential 8": managing blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight with a doctor, plus eating healthily, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, and sleeping well. Young people should get regular checkups and basic bloodwork, including cholesterol screening by age 18. The exact cause of the rise is unclear, but increasing rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and substance use—along with possible underdiagnosis and changing demographics—are likely contributors.
(Source：Newsweek)
