Stroke is often considered a condition that almost exclusively strikes older people. Although people over 50 still comprise the vast majority of stroke patients, research findings published in the 2016 Journal of the American Heart Association suggest a disturbing trend that indicates an increase in stroke in younger age groups.

 

Dr. Rony Ninan“When people think of stroke, they probably think of grandpa who smokes and has hypertension,” said Rony Ninan, M.D., a board-certified neurologist at the Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, “And while he certainly carries a higher risk of stroke, it doesn’t mean that if you’re young and healthy you can’t be at risk of stroke, too.”

 

BE ALERT TO THE RISKS

 

Research indicates that 10 percent of all ischemic strokes (the most common type of stroke) now occur in adults under age 50. Researchers in the U.S. attribute the apparent rise in strokes among younger adults to many of the same lifestyle risk factors commonly found in older patients: high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol levels, diabetes and smoking.

 

Ninan said younger patients may have additional stroke risk factors, such as congenital or structural heart defects or injuries to the arteries in the neck possibly caused by even minor trauma. Another factor may be illicit drug use, including abuse of substances like cocaine and methamphetamines. Young people with blood coagulation defects or conditions, such as sickle cell disease, are more susceptible to stroke, and the risk also increases if they have developmental anomalies of the blood vessels of the brain.

 

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT AGAINST STROKE

 

While the symptoms of stroke are the same for both older and younger adults (see “The FAST Test”), people may not readily recognize the symptoms in younger patients, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis that can cause permanent damage.

 

The “FAST” test from the National Stroke Association may help you determine if someone is having a stroke:

 

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

Arms: Does one arm drift downward when you ask the person to raise both arms?

Speech: Can he or she repeat a simple sentence correctly? Are the words slurred?

Time: If a person shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Carefully note the time when the first symptoms appeared. This information is critical for treatment decisions.

 

Ninan said young adults should be aware of their stroke risk factors and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and scheduling regular blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screenings.

 

To schedule an appointment with Rony Ninan, M.D., or another specialist at our Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, fill out our online form at houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.274.7979. Also, visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

 

STROKE SEMINAR

 

Join Rony Ninan, M.D., on Thursday, May 3 at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Brazos Pavilion Conference Center to learn about stroke which is the fifth leading cause of death in U.S. and the leading cause of disability. Ninan will discuss prevention, symptoms and risk factors and answer your questions. Registration is required. To register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/stroke-sl or call 281.274.7500.