While it is less common to see strokes in young adults, it is a harsh reality that young adults are not immune to strokes. About 10-15% of strokes occur in young adults (under age 50), and that number is rising. Therefore, it is important to understand stroke risk factors as well as what strokes look like.
Types of Strokes
There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic (bleeding). An ischemic stroke is the most common among the general population as well as in young adults. Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot or plaque in the arteries.
Stroke Risk Factors
Strokes in young people can be due to similar risk factors in people over the age of 50. However, there are many risk factors more specific to young people, including lifestyle, pregnancy and genetics.
It is important to be aware of these risks and take measures to maintain good health as well as be aware of signs of stroke. Quick action, including calling 911, can help reduce the risk of death or disability from stroke.
Risk factors that can contribute to stroke in young people can include:
- Blood clotting disorders
- Cocaine or other drug use
- Congenital heart conditions such as Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO); this is a hole in the heart that doesn’t close at birth
- Arterial dissection, which is a tear in the wall of the artery (can be in the setting of trauma or connective tissue disease)
- Polycystic kidney disease: This disease can contribute to high blood pressure and can cause aneurysms in the brain, leading to a stroke
- Birth control pills: Pills that contain estrogen can increase a person’s risk of stroke
- Migraines with aura: These types of migraines can be associated with increased stroke risk, although it is not a definitive cause of stroke
- Sickle cell disease: People with this condition are at increased risk of stroke compared to the general population due to the increased risk of blood clots and damage to the walls of blood vessels
- Cancer: Having cancer can increase a person’s risk of stroke (through various mechanisms)
- Pregnancy/post-partum: Risk of stroke with pregnancy is not common, but the risk is highest in the third trimester and through the first six weeks post-partum
It is important to be aware of traditional risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, vaping, heavy drinking, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Taking measures to maintain good health at a young age is important in reducing overall stroke risk.
By knowing the risk factors, young people can work to prevent or control them before they get to a worse or more severe condition.
In addition, knowing the signs of stroke is important for early recognition. Early recognition and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of worsening disability and even death.
Learn to BE FAST
If you believe you may be having a stroke but are not completely sure, one method is to check for stroke symptoms with the “BE FAST” symptom checklist. “BE FAST” stands for:
B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance is a common indicator of a stroke.
E – Eyes: This includes loss of vision out of one eye, blurriness in one or both eyes and/or sudden double vision.
F – Facial drooping: One way to check for facial drooping is smiling to see if both sides of your face are even with the smile.
A – Arms: This step includes holding both arms out to see if one arm starts to droop down uncontrollably.
S – Speech: This includes sudden speech trouble where speech is slurred, words cannot be said normally or verbal expression is lost unexpectedly.
T – Time to call 911.
BE FAST was developed by Intermountain Healthcare, as an adaptation of the FAST model implemented by the American Stroke Association. Reproduced with permission from Intermountain HealthCare. © 2011 Intermountain HealthCare. All rights reserved.
It is crucial to be conscious and aware of any potential stroke symptoms you or a loved one may be experiencing and act immediately. Unfortunately, some of the younger victims of strokes did not realize they were experiencing stroke symptoms before it was too late. However, many people who have recognized their stroke symptoms and got help quickly suffered no permanent or long-term brain damage and were able to make a quick recovery.
Time is brain, meaning time saved is brain saved. When caught early, providers can reverse stroke and minimize the symptoms through medication, blood clot removal and more treatments.
UofL Health is Here for You
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of a stroke but are unsure where to get help, UofL Health – Emergency Departments are open 24/7 and provide patients with around-the-clock emergency care.
Our stroke experts with UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute are committed to helping prevent and treat strokes. Several UofL Health hospitals have premier designations and specially trained staff to care for stroke patients, including:
- UofL Health – UofL Hospital – Comprehensive Stroke Center, which is Kentucky’s first Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
- UofL Health – Jewish Hospital – Primary Stroke Center
- UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital – Primary Stroke Center
Your Home for Post-Stroke Care
UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute – Stroke Program provides comprehensive services to individuals who have experienced a stroke and to the individuals’ families and support systems. The program serves patients of all ages, with the goal of restoring individuals to optimal levels of physical, cognitive and emotional recovery following stroke. For more information, call 502-582-7476.
Support After Stroke
Stroke care doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. Many stroke survivors and their caregivers experience a range of emotions as they adjust back to normal daily activities, and our team is here to help. Join us for our free support groups where you can enjoy talking openly with others who share similar experiences. Learn more about our support groups.
