Why Are More Young Adults Having Strokes? And How to Lower Your Risk
Why Are More Young Adults Having Strokes? And How to Lower Your Risk
If you’re a generally healthy adult under 50, a stroke probably isn’t high on your list of worries. But recent data suggests it should be on more people’s radar.
Strokes in younger adults are rising, and researchers have found the incidence of stroke has increased by as much as 15.7% among adults ages 18–44 and 45–64 over the past decade.
To better understand what’s driving this shift, Aaron Shoskes, DO, a neurologist at University of Utah Health’s Clinical Neurosciences Center, has been studying this very question.
Know Your Risk Factors
Shoskes’ team recently published a paper on strokes in young adults and discussed the findings on the Neurology journal’s podcast. Their research shows that much of the increase can be traced to risk factors tied to modern lifestyle habits—from poor diet to lack of exercise to smoking and drinking.
“What we found is that young adults experiencing strokes increasingly have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking histories,” Shoskes says. “So, in many cases, this isn’t coming out of nowhere.”
He also notes that cancer may be part of the picture.
“Certain cancers are becoming more common in younger adults, and cancer can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke,” he explains. “While it’s not the primary driver of the trend, it’s likely one of several contributing factors.”
What About Caffeine, Vaping, or Stimulants?
Vaping, energy drinks, and other stimulants often make headlines, but Shoskes cautions against emphasizing them.
“Caffeine, vaping, and ADHD meds might play a role for some people, but I’d be careful not to make them the main focus,” Shoskes says. “They’re not harmless, but the biggest stroke risks are still the major traditional risk factors.”
Even so, substances that spike your blood pressure or affect your heart rhythm can add to overall risk. Research also shows that vaping can increase your risk of stroke, though more research is needed to understand how to compares to traditional smoking.
How to Lower Your Stroke Risk
One of the biggest challenges to preventing stroke is that many risk factors are silent.
“Many young adults don’t have a primary care provider because they feel healthy,” Shoskes says. “But stroke risk factors can go unnoticed for years.”
A routine checkup can reveal important information, including:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol levels
- Weight
- Family history of stroke
“Once those numbers are known, the next step is working with a clinician to manage them,” Shoskes says. “Early intervention makes a big difference.”
Many stroke risks are highly reversible. These guidelines reduce stroke risk and boost your overall health and well-being:
- Quit smoking and recreational drug use
- Limit or avoid alcohol
- Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day or 150 minutes per week
- Follow a heart‑healthy Mediterranean diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get good sleep and manage stress
- Treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol consistently
“These lifestyle changes may not sound exciting, but they are some of the most powerful ways to lower stroke risk,” Shoskes says.
How to Recognize a Stroke
When it comes to stroke, every minute matters. Keep this BE FAST acronym in mind—and never wait to see if symptoms improve. Even if they do, it could still signal a serious health problem.
- Balance: sudden dizziness or difficulty walking
- Eyes: sudden vision loss
- Face: facial drooping
- Arm: weakness in an arm or leg
- Speech: slurred or difficult speech
- Time: call 911 immediately. Many stroke treatments are extremely time-sensitive and can only be offered in the first hours after someone is experiencing a stroke, so do not delay!
Note: Other symptoms may include sudden numbness on one side of the body or a sudden, severe headache.
Getting the Right Care
Sudden stroke symptoms warrant an urgent trip to the emergency room, where clinicians typically start with a CT scan to quickly check for bleeding or other major issues. An MRI may be performed to confirm whether a stroke has occurred or to rule it out.
“For people without symptoms who are concerned about future stroke risk but have no symptoms, brain imaging is usually not the first step. Addressing and managing underlying risk factors is far more important.”
At U of U Health, patients have access to a full range of stroke care, from prevention to emergency treatment to rehabilitation.
“We serve a large geographic region, including rural communities, which is especially important in the Mountain West,” Shoskes says. “That means more patients can get expert stroke care quickly, even if they don’t live near a major medical center.”
The good news is that many stroke risks are highly reversible with consistent lifestyle changes. That’s why following your clinician’s guidance and prioritizing your health now can make all the difference.
Recognizing the FAST Signs of Stroke Can Save More Than Time
Strokes can occur suddenly—and silently—with symptoms that do not always match expectations. Stroke specialist Jennifer Majersik, MD, emphasizes that early recognition can dramatically alter outcomes.
