Why Stroke Is Becoming More Common Among Young People

Until recently, stroke was considered a disease of the elderly, most often occurring after the age of 60–70. However, current statistics show that the situation has changed — strokes are now increasingly affecting people under 40. This is linked to lifestyle changes and the growing number of risk factors among young people, explained cardiologist and therapist, Associate Professor Lenar Kashapov from Kazan Federal University, in an interview with Gazeta.Ru.

A stroke is a sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to damage of brain tissue. In medicine, there are two main types:

• Ischemic stroke — about 80% of cases, caused by blockage of a blood vessel by a clot or atherosclerotic plaque.

• Hemorrhagic stroke — caused by rupture of a vessel and bleeding into the brain; it is more severe and dangerous.

“The decreasing age of stroke patients is alarming. The main causes are lifestyle changes and increased risk factors among the youth. These include obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, often due to physical inactivity and poor diet. High stress levels related to work or personal life raise cortisol, which damages the vascular system. Smoking and vaping increase blood viscosity, constrict blood vessels, and raise the risk of blood clots. Undiagnosed hypertension and arrhythmia are also common in young people. Overuse of energy drinks increases the load on the heart and blood vessels,” the doctor explained.

He also noted that the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic play a role.

“The virus damages the vascular endothelium, leading to hypercoagulation (increased blood clotting), which raises the risk of thrombosis. Those who had a severe case of COVID-19 are at particularly high risk of stroke. The best way to fight stroke is prevention: monitor blood pressure and cholesterol, quit smoking and energy drinks, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet plays a key role in preventing stroke and maintaining vascular health,” Kashapov added.