The risk of stroke is increasing mainly in young people.

(Dan Tri) - According to a new report from the US CDC, the number of strokes occurring in young people is increasing. This change occurs in parallel with the increase in both obesity and high blood pressure in the same age group.

Stroke rates are increasing in young people

Comparing self-reported health data from 2011-2013 and 2020-2022, researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that stroke rates increased by nearly 8%. However, the growth was uneven across age, gender, and socioeconomic groups.

In particular, the stroke rate in young people increased sharply. In the 18-44 age group, the stroke rate increased by 14.6%; for the 45-64 age group, this rate increased by 15.7%.

Age is a major risk factor for stroke, and the average age of someone having a stroke is in their 70s. This makes the CDC's latest report that young people are having strokes all the more alarming.

Stroke rates are on the rise in young people (Photo: Onlyhealth).

The overall stroke rate among younger adults in both age groups (0.9% in the 18-44 group and 3.8% in the 45-64 group) remains lower than that among those 65 and older (7.7%). However, stroke rates among older adults in the United States have stabilized, while they continue to rise among younger adults, especially those in middle age.

Although there is no clear cause for the increase in strokes among younger people, combined risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure may play a role.

According to a new CDC report, from 1999-2000 to 2017-2018, the number of people with high blood pressure increased by more than 6% among adults aged 45-64.

"The most prominent risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure," says Matthew S. Schrag, MD, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“This report is concerning because stroke rates are increasing in younger people. And they also note that obesity and hypertension are also increasing in younger people. That’s a bad sign,” Gregory W. Albers, MD, director of the Stanford Stroke Center at Stanford Medical Center, told Healthline .

Stroke prevention

There are a number of health and lifestyle changes that can help you prevent stroke, says Dr. Omoye Imoisili, a researcher in the CDC's Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and author of the report.

“You can reduce your risk of stroke by taking control of your health. Healthy habits include choosing healthy foods and drinks, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake and controlling blood pressure,” she said.

Who is at risk for stroke?

Anyone can have a stroke, some people are at higher risk than others. It is important to know if you are in a higher risk group so you can be aware of the warning signs early.

You may not know if you have weak blood vessels that could burst, but other stroke risk factors can be screened for and controlled.

Most strokes happen when there is a blood clot or blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain. Fortunately, you can control many of the factors that increase your risk.

You are more likely to have a stroke if:

- Overweight, obesity

- Smoke.

- Drink a lot of alcohol.

- High cholesterol

- Have high blood pressure.

- Have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or atrial fibrillation.

In medicine, the golden time for stroke emergency is considered the most ideal time frame to intervene and treat the causes of stroke.

The "golden hour" in emergency treatment for ischemic stroke is recommended within the first 3-4.5 hours (from the onset of the first signs of stroke). Emergency treatment for stroke within the golden hour plays an important role in saving the patient's life, helping to minimize complications and help the patient recover quickly.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/nguy-co-dot-quy-dang-gia-tang-chu-yeu-o-nguoi-tre-tuoi-20251020110043342.htm