"High Blood Pressure Top Risk Factor For Stroke In Young Adults"
Strokes are most common in adults 65 and older; however the stroke rate among younger adults has steadily increased over the past two decades, even as the overall incidence of stroke has dipped. Researchers compared traditional risk factors for strokes (high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity and high cholesterol) among survivors and people of similar ages who did not have strokes. They found the odds of having a stroke increased significantly as people entered their 20s, but only if they had high blood pressure or more than one risk factor. That chance grew considerably during the next two decades of life. Carolyn Brockington, MD, assistant professor of neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who was not involved in the study, said these findings should urge people to take an active role in their health. “Somebody who has elevated blood pressure shouldn't be discounted," Dr. Brockington said, "Even if the person is younger -- and particularly if they have a family history of stroke, or a family history of hypertension." Dr. Brockington urges young adults to identify their personal risk factors and then work to lower that risk.
— Carolyn D. Brockington, MD, Assistant Professor, Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, The Stroke Center, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, Mount Sinai West