Thursday, January 15, 2015

Stroke risk rises for those in their 20s

This article (see link below) begins with a story of a 26-year-old man who had a stroke. Mine happened at age 39 (in hindsight, I now consider that to be young).

The story highlights that the odds of stroke rise sharply among young people:
Although stroke has long been considered an illness of advanced age, statistics show a startling demographic reversal in recent years. Even while strokes are on the decline in older adults, decreasing by more than 25 percent for people older than 45, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, the chances of stroke have soared alarmingly among people in early adulthood and middle age.
From 1994 through 2007, CDC research shows, the rate of ischemic stroke jumped by 47 percent for men ages 35 to 44 and 36 percent for women in the same age group. For men in their early 20s, the number of stroke-related hospitalizations rose by more than 50 percent during that period.
What do to? Follow stroke prevention guidance, and know the signs. Even if you are young - or surrounded by those who are young.

No comments: