Not just an old age problem: Stroke risk soars in young Indians

Early strokes can lead to long-term disability—knowing the warning signs could save your life. (Image: Pexels)

Stroke is not just a disease of older people—it can happen to anyone at any age, often with devastating, life-long disabilities. Certainly, a person’s risk for stroke goes up as they age, but strokes in younger adults, especially under 45 years of age are becoming more and more common. In fact, evidence recently reported an increase of 14.6 percent in stroke rates among those 18-44 years of age from 2020 to 2024.

According to Dr. Manoj Khanal, Director of Neurology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, this disturbing trend is partially the result of an increase in risk factors among these younger populations. Hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, and smoking, factors that were once related to those of older age, are pervasive in younger populations.

Not only does this demographic shift about stroke affect those living in the prime of their lives, it does indeed place a burden on families and health systems and highlights the need for getting the word about stroke out there so people will begin to understand alarm signals and begin to act early!

Also Read: Heart Failure: What it means and why it matters

Factors causing increased stroke risk in young:

1. Traditional risk factors: Hypertension, diabetes, bad cholesterol, coronary artery disease, obesity.

2. ⁠Sedentary lifestyle: Poor dietary habits, smoking and alcoholism

3. ⁠Cervical artery dissection (arterial tear in neck arteries)

4. ⁠Patent foramen ovale (a heart defect).

5. ⁠Substance abuse: Drug abuse and alcohol

6. ⁠Air pollution and high temperatures

7. Hyper homocysteinemia, low vitamin B12 and folic acid levels

8. ⁠Abnormal sleep patterns and hormonal contraceptives

The Doctor says that 80 percent of young stroke are ischemic and 20 percent are hemorrhagic. 20-30 percent of stroke cases in young is unknown etiology.

Effect of stroke in young is significant as it leads to higher mortality and disability which directly impacts quality of life and productivity. Thus, increased burden leads to focus on prevention and treatment.

Management of stroke in young is focused on three parameters:

1. Prevention: Life style changes like diet, exercise, yoga, smoking cessation.

2. Early detection: Early detection and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, bad cholesterol and obesity. Public awareness drive by various means to promote healthy life style and identification of stroke risk factors.

3. Treatment and secondary prevention: Aggressive management as early as possible with all drugs and physical therapy can stop or reverse the disability caused by stroke. Identification of risk factors and rehabilitation helps to prevent future events.

With rise in stress and competition in way of life and other risk factors coming in play at a young age the risk of having a stroke before 50 years of age will increase in coming years. One should focus on prevention of stroke and early identification and management to prevent mortality and disability in young.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis