Emily R. Fisher

Stories

Stroke rates among younger adults nearly double in three decades

Leading research into rising young-adult stroke rates

Stroke rates among adults ages 20 to 54 nearly doubled between 1993 and 2020, according to a study in the medical journal Neurology. The rate climbed from 33.9 cases per 100,000 people to 62.2, a jump of about 83% — while stroke rates among adults 55 and older fell from 618.78 to 453 per 100,000 over the same period.

Updated Oct 20

Notable Quotes

"Our findings highlight the importance of identifying and managing stroke risk factors early in adulthood," Fisher said. "Additional research is needed to better understand what is driving these trends and how they can be reversed."

from Stroke rates among younger adults nearly double in three decades · Updated Oct 20

"Our findings highlight the importance of regular primary care, even for younger adults without chronic medical conditions," Fisher told Healio. "Routine medical care and recommended screenings are very important to detect stroke risk factors and to address them appropriately, as one may not have symptoms from these conditions."

from Stroke rates among younger adults nearly double in three decades · Updated Oct 20