Health experts at ThedaCare have joined the clarion call encouraging younger adults to help potentially lower their risk of a stroke by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Strokes are most common in older adults. In recent years, stroke cases have climbed steadily among younger and middle-aged adults. Experts attribute the rise to growing rates of high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity and substance use within that population.
A 2024 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention report looked at the time spans of 2011-2013 and 2020-2022. In comparing the two, it found a 14.6% increase in strokes among people ages 18 to 44 and a 15.7% increase in people ages 45 to 64.
“The uptick in strokes in younger people can be taken as a warning sign,” said Dr. Thomas Mattio, Medical Director of the ThedaCare Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Neurologist with Neuroscience Group. “These findings underscore the importance of recognizing the risk factors for stroke and taking steps to address them.”
National Focus on Stroke
May marks National Stroke Awareness Month. The annual observance is aimed at educating people about stroke, understanding the risk factors, promoting preventive steps and encouraging action in the event of a stroke.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped. In an ischemic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into nearby tissues. Ischemic strokes are more common than hemorrhagic strokes.
People also can experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Often referred to as a mini-stroke, a TIA results from a temporary clot. Most TIAs last less than an hour but may persist for up to 24 hours.
“TIAs don’t usually cause permanent damage but it’s important for people to seek prompt care,” Dr. Mattio said. “A TIA may increase a person’s odds of suffering a stroke.”
A stroke can affect people in many ways, depending on where in the brain it occurs. People may experience changes in physical health, cognition, emotions and behaviors. Stroke also can lead to problems with communication, vision and hearing.
Age is a major risk factor for stroke. Approximately 75% of strokes occur in people over the age of 65, according to the National Institutes of Health. Age is also a non-modifiable risk factor for stroke. Individuals can’t change it. Other non-modifiable risk factors include family and personal health history, race and gender assigned at birth.
“While you can’t change some factors, it’s good to understand them and talk with your health care provider about them,” Dr. Mattio said. “Remember that you can take many positive steps to help reduce your risk of a stroke, regardless of your age.”
Fortunately, stroke can have some modifiable risk factors, Dr. Mattio said. These include:
- High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
- Obesity and/or poor diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking and/or use of illegal drugs
“We’re seeing an increase in risk factors among younger people,” Dr. Mattio said. “These likely are contributing to the rise in the incidence of stroke in these age groups.”
Preventing Stroke
People of any age can take steps to help reduce their stroke risk. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting regular physical activity
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol and avoiding drug use
- Managing cholesterol
- Controlling diabetes
- Staying on top of routine care
“It’s important to recognize the signs of a stroke and to remember that anyone can experience one,” Dr. Mattio said. “Knowing the signs of a stroke and getting immediate treatment can help lower your risk of developing severe, long-lasting effects in the event of a stroke.”
Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke is the first step in getting prompt help. The acronym BE FAST can help people remember the warning signs:
- B: Balance — sudden loss of balance or trouble walking
- E: Eyesight — sudden vision changes, including double vision
- F: Face — drooping or numbness on one side of the face
- A: Arms (or leg) — weakness or numbness in one arm or leg, especially on the same side of the body
- S: Speech — difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- T: Time — time to call 911
For more information about strokes and care options available, please visit https://thedacare.org/services/neurology-stroke/.
