DOCTOK

From youth to stroke- The unexpected health crisis on the rise

 

Amanda Werner, a program manager at UC Health in northern Colorado, has identified a terrifying trend among youth. According to her, the trend is called strokes and is cause for alarm in the medical community. Her worry is not baseless.

The number of stroke cases in people between the age group of 18 and 45 has increased at a very fast rate in the last decade. 

As per  The National Institute of Health (NIH), studies reveal that about 10% to 15% of strokes occur in people below the age of 40 years and the average age of patients with stroke in developing countries is 15 years younger than that in developed countries.

Dr. Marc Lazzaro MD, a neurologist at Froedtert Hospital Wisconsin says that it is a common misconception that stroke can affect people above the age of 55 years and adds that stroke can happen at any age.

This leads us to a pertinent question as to what is causing more and more young people to have strokes.

Experts say initially it was believed that young people with a genetic disposition to stroke like a blood clotting disorder etc were the ones prone to the condition. However, now they are beginning to realize that there are other factors at play. 

Risk factors of stroke in young people

• COVID-19- COVID-19 has been added to the list of risk factors for strokes in young people. According to the American Heart Association, there is a definitive correlation between COVID-19 and blood clot-related problems. Since the pandemic, doctors have noticed more people with thick and sticky blood caused by inflammation in the body when it has been attacked by COVID-19. However, Dr. Jacob Chacko, a cardiologist at UCHealth Heart and Vascular Clinic in northern Colorado says that not everyone who has COVID develops clots. The evidence shows there is an increase in the likelihood of a clot.
• Stress- Blame it on the work or the perils of academic pressure, and social relationships, the youth today are experiencing more hypertension than the ones before. High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and damages the arteries by causing them to narrow down and stiffen. The condition also leads to the formation of blood clots in the arteries that block blood flow and cause a stroke.
• Unhealthy diet- A poor diet has multiple effects on the body. Consuming a high calorie diet which is full of fat and sugar can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk for stroke. A high salt intake can increase blood pressure levels which can lead to a stroke. According to NIH a diet rich in olive oil, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes can reduce the risk of stroke by 40%. 
• Accidents- Another common cause of strokes is due to the damage of the arteries in the neck region called arterial dissection. This dissection is mainly due to car crashes or other accidents. Younger people are also more prone to arterial dissection as they are active participators in high-impact activities such as sports.
• Cigarettes and alcohol- Smoking increases blood pressure and decreases the oxygen levels in the blood which may increase the chances of a stroke. Excessive alcohol consumption leads to hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and liver problems, all of which are conducive to the occurrence of stroke.
• Substance abuse-  Drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine can increase blood pressure and damage blood vessels. This increases the risk of a stroke.
• Sedentary lifestyle- Whoever coined the term sitting is the new smoking probably knew the far-reaching risks of physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems that increase the risk of strokes.
• Gender- Research indicates that women are more likely to suffer from strokes than men. One reason is the use of oral contraceptives along with smoking can increase the likelihood of blood clots and consequently strokes. Another indication is migraine. Studies show that migraines with visual disturbances increase the chances of stroke in women.

If you or your loved one are exposed to one or more of the above risk factors,  experts recommend being mindful of your lifestyle and your diet. They ask to follow a simple rule. What is good for your heart is good for your brain.

Recognizing signs of stroke

To help recognize the signs of stroke doctors suggest remembering the phrase- F.A.S.T

• F- Face- Look out for the face drooping on one side or if the person has an uneven smile.
• A-Arm- Weakness in the arm/ arms.
• S-Speech- Difficulty in speaking or blurred or slurred speech.
• T-Time- Timely intervention is most important for stroke. Doctors call it the golden hour within which if the person receives proper medical treatment the person having a stroke can be saved.