Bleeding stroke increasing among young adult population
Ignoring the impact of a poor lifestyle or habits on one’s health can be risky even for young adults, especially when it comes to the heart.
Recently released findings from a decade-long study show an increase in the number of young adults suffering from the most debilitating and deadly stroke, according to the American Heart Association.
Strokes occur when brain tissue doesn’t receive the blood it needs to function properly. Oxygen-rich blood is carried to the brain through the body’s arteries, but the critical delivery of the blood can be inhibited when the arteries are either blocked or weakened, causing the blood to be routed away from the organ.
Bleeding-type strokes, also known as intracranial hemorrhage, is rarer than those caused by a clogged artery, but can be more debilitating.
“The bleeding-type strokes are about one in five strokes that we see,” said Bryan Ludwig, MD, chair of the Clinical Neurosciences Institute. “It’s rare, but it’s the one that is receiving a lot of attention recently and rightfully so.”
The research, which was published in the AHA’s Stroke journal in February, shows an 11 percent increase in strokes among adults aged 18 to 44. This is the largest increase among any age group studied in the trial and one which many experts say highlights the importance of preventive medicine at a younger age.
“It would be tempting to say that this increase is due to the recent stress from the pandemic or the geopolitical landscape, and stress can be a part of it, but this is a trend that began more than a decade ago,” said Dr. Ludwig, who practices with Premier Physician Network.
Uncontrolled risk factors are likely the cause of the increase, he said. High blood pressure among this age group could be the top culprit. Many younger adults have high blood pressure and may not even know it because they don’t always seek routine clinical care. Uncontrolled high cholesterol and diabetes are also leading factors, he said.
Other risk factors contributing to the rise are lifestyle choices, such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use. Genetic risk factors can also play a role — for example, men are more likely than women to experience a stroke — but they play a lesser role in this increase.
The good news is that a person has the power to reduce their risk for stroke by making wise choices and remaining diligent, Dr. Ludwig said.
Seek routine medical care — Establish a relationship with a primary care provider and follow recommendations for screenings of blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
Know your numbers — Understand your numbers and regularly check them between visits to the health care provider’s office. Blood pressure can be monitored by using screening tools at a local pharmacy for free.
Don’t make excuses — Telehealth usage has transformed access to primary care providers in recent years, leaving little reason for anyone to not be under regular care. Also, youth isn’t a valid reason to delay care.
Adopt healthy habits — Use your young adult years to establish healthy habits, not avoid them. Establish hearthealthy diets, minimize alcohol use, quit smoking and exercise on a regular basis.