Stroke Risk Increasing Mainly in Younger People: Here's Why

 

The rising incidence of strokes among younger individuals is becoming a significant public health concern, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study highlights an alarming trend: adults under the age of 65 are increasingly at risk for experiencing strokes, a shift that contrasts with the stable stroke rates observed in older adults.

Alarming Increase in Stroke Prevalence Among Younger Adults

The CDC report reveals a striking rise in stroke prevalence among younger adults. Specifically, individuals aged 45-64 have experienced a 15% increase in stroke prevalence, while those aged 18-44 have seen a 14.6% rise. These statistics indicate a worrying trend that calls for immediate attention and action.

For adults under 65, the risk of stroke has been growing steadily over the past decade. This increase is particularly concerning when compared to the stroke rates in older Americans, which have remained relatively flat over the same period. Although individuals aged 65 and older still have the highest overall prevalence of stroke, the year-over-year incidence has not changed significantly.

Factors Contributing to Rising Stroke Rates

The escalating prevalence of stroke among younger adults is paralleled by a rise in obesity and high blood pressure within the same age groups. These conditions are well-known risk factors for stroke, and their increasing rates are contributing to the higher incidence of stroke among younger populations.

Dr. Gregory W. Albers, Director of the Stanford Stroke Center at Stanford Medical Center, expressed his concerns to Healthline: "This report is alarming because stroke rates are rising in younger populations. Additionally, the rates of obesity and hypertension are also increasing among younger individuals, which is a bad sign."

Disparities in Stroke Risk and Prevention

The CDC report also highlights significant disparities in stroke prevalence based on racial and ethnic groups, geographic regions, and education levels. These disparities underscore the ongoing challenges in stroke prevention and education across different demographics.

Comparing self-reported health data from 2011-2013 and 2020-2022, researchers found that the overall prevalence of stroke grew by nearly 8%. However, this growth was not uniformly distributed across all age, sex, and socioeconomic groups. Young adults, particularly those aged 18-44, experienced a disproportionate increase in stroke prevalence, with a 14.6% rise. For adults aged 45-64, the increase was even higher at 15.7%.

Age as a Major Risk Factor

Age remains a significant risk factor for stroke, with the average age of stroke occurrence typically being in the 70s. This makes the CDC's latest findings that younger adults are experiencing more strokes even more concerning. The overall prevalence of stroke among young adults in both age categories (0.9% for the 18-44 group and 3.8% for the 45-64 group) is still lower than that of those 65 and older (7.7%). However, the fact that the stroke rate among older Americans has leveled off while continuing to grow for younger adults, particularly those in midlife, is alarming.

Compounding Risk Factors

While there is no single clear cause for the rise in strokes among young adults, several compounding risk factors are likely at play. Obesity and high blood pressure, in particular, are significant contributors. Between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018, the number of people with high blood pressure rose by more than 6% among adults aged 45-64, according to the CDC report.

Dr. Matthew S. Schrag, a Vascular Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, emphasized the importance of high blood pressure as a stroke risk factor: "When you look at every epidemiological study across the board, every continent on this planet, every demographic, the thing that jumps out as a stroke risk factor more than any other factor is high blood pressure."

Who Is Most at Risk?

The report also highlights key findings based on race and ethnicity, geography, and education level. Stroke is most prevalent among American Indian/Alaska Native individuals (5.3%), followed by Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (4.4%) and Black adults (4.3%). Conversely, the lowest prevalence is among Asian adults (1.5%). Over the surveillance period, stroke prevalence increased among Black (7.8%), White (7.2%), and Hispanic (16.1%) adults.

Adults with less than a high school education saw the largest increase in stroke prevalence among all groups, with an 18.2% rise. Dr. Albers commented on this finding: "Folks who are more educated tend to be more aware of the importance of hypertension control, even though it doesn’t cause symptoms. It’s not unusual to see that more educated populations have better access to care, better insurance, better coverage, and can afford their medication. So, it’s not a surprise to me."

Geographic Disparities: The Stroke Belt

Geographically, ten states, predominantly in the south, also saw increased stroke prevalence. This region has become known as "the stroke belt" due to its higher stroke mortality rates compared to the rest of the United States. Dr. Schrag noted, "This prevalence data still seems to point at a very significant increase in what we call ‘the stroke belt.’ There is an asymmetry in this country of the distribution of strokes geographically."

Stroke Prevention Strategies

Dr. Omoye Imoisili, a Researcher in the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention at the CDC and author of the report, emphasized the importance of health and lifestyle changes in preventing stroke: "Decrease your stroke risk by taking control of your health. Prevention steps and strategies include healthy habits you can do on your own, and also with support of a healthcare team. These include choosing healthy food and drinks, keeping a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and controlling blood pressure."

Taking Action: Personal and Community Efforts

Reducing the risk of stroke involves both personal and community efforts. On an individual level, adopting a healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. Managing stress and getting enough sleep are also important factors in maintaining overall health and reducing stroke risk.

On a community level, increasing awareness about stroke prevention and ensuring access to healthcare services are essential. Public health campaigns can educate people about the risk factors and symptoms of stroke, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment. Healthcare providers can play a key role by regularly screening patients for high blood pressure and other risk factors, and by providing guidance on lifestyle changes and medication management.

The Role of Policy and Research

Policymakers and researchers also have a significant role to play in addressing the rising incidence of stroke among younger adults. Research into the underlying causes of this trend can help identify effective interventions and inform public health strategies. Policies that promote access to healthy food, safe spaces for physical activity, and affordable healthcare can help reduce the prevalence of stroke risk factors such as obesity and hypertension.

Investing in education and economic opportunities can also help address the disparities in stroke prevalence. By improving education levels and economic conditions, we can create environments where individuals have the resources and knowledge to make healthier choices and access the care they need.

Endnote

The increase in stroke prevalence among young adults (18-44) and mid-life adults (45-64) over the past decade is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. While the overall prevalence of stroke remains higher among older adults (65 and older), the rising rates among younger populations highlight the need for targeted prevention efforts.

Compounding risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure are likely driving this increase. Addressing these risk factors through lifestyle changes, increased awareness, and improved access to healthcare can help mitigate the risk of stroke in younger adults.

By taking proactive steps to manage our health and advocating for policies that promote healthy living, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of stroke and improving the quality of life for individuals of all ages. Remember, prevention is key – take control of your health today to reduce your risk of stroke tomorrow.