New research reveals that stroke may be
affecting people at a younger age. The study was recently published in an online issue of
Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of
Neurology.
“The reasons for this trend could be a rise in risk factors
such as diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol,” said study author Brett
Kissela, MD, MS, with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio
and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. “Other factors, such as
improved diagnosis through the increased use of MRI imaging may also be
contributing. Regardless, the rising trend found in our study is of great
concern for public health because strokes in younger people translate to greater
lifetime disability.”
For the study, researchers looked at occurrences of
strokes in people between the ages 20 and 54 in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern
Kentucky area during three separate, one year-long periods between July of 1993
and June of 1994, and the calendar years of 1999 and 2005. Only first ever
strokes were included in the analysis.
The study found that the average
age of people who experienced stroke fell from 71 years in 1993 and 1994 to 69
years in 2005. In addition, the study found that strokes among people under 55
made up a greater percentage of all strokes over time, growing from about 13
percent in 1993-94 to 19 percent in 2005. The stroke rate in young people
increased in both African-Americans and Caucasians, from 83 strokes per 100,000
people in 1993-94 in African-Americans to 128 per 100,000 in 2005 and in
Caucasians from 26 strokes per 100,000 people in 1993-94 to 48 per 100,000 in
2005.
“The good news is that some of the possible contributing factors to
these strokes can be modified with lifestyle changes, such as diet and
exercise,” said Kissela. “However, given the increase in stroke among those
younger than 55, younger adults should see a doctor regularly to monitor their
overall health and risk for stroke and heart disease.”
This article was first published at www.newswise.com