In recent years, a concerning trend has emerged: an increase in stroke-related deaths among middle-aged adults. This shift has prompted health experts and researchers to examine the underlying causes and potential factors contributing to this rise.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes. When this occurs, it is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant increase in stroke deaths among American adults aged 45 to 64. This reversal of the previous downward trend in stroke mortality rates is alarming and has led to extensive research to understand the reasons behind it.
One of the primary factors identified is the increase in the factors associated with strokes, particularly high blood pressure. Hypertension is a leading cause of stroke and has become more prevalent among middle-aged adults. More than half of this demographic with hypertension have uncontrolled high blood pressure, which means it is either untreated or not responding to treatment. Dr. Mona Bahouth, medical director of the Brain Rescue Unit at Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains that what can make high blood pressure so dangerous is the fact that it’s “fairly silent.”
“You don’t really feel that you have high blood pressure until you’ve had it for a while and it’s too late, unless you’re measuring it,” she tells Yahoo Life.
Another contributing factor is the rise in other underlying conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). These conditions, coupled with poor lifestyle choices like excessive alcohol use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, compound the risk of stroke.
“These risk factors over time lead to atherosclerosis, which is a common cause of stroke in older patients. However, we have seen an increase in these same risk factors leading to stroke in our younger patient population,” Dr. Fan Caprio, a vascular neurologist at Northwestern Medicine and medical director for its Comprehensive Stroke Center, stated.
The increase in stroke mortality is also attributed to socioeconomic disparities, which can lead to missed doctor appointments and a lack of access to quality healthcare. These disparities can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the likelihood of death or severe disability from stroke.
Furthermore, the American Heart Association highlighted a rise in a specific type of stroke known as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ICH strokes, which involve bleeding within the brain, have been increasing at a faster rate among younger and middle-aged adults compared to older individuals. This suggests that risk factors are not being well-managed in younger populations in the U.S.
The overall increase in stroke rates may reflect an aging population and more people living longer after a stroke. However, the fact that risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, are becoming more common among younger and middle-aged adults is a significant concern and suggests an unhealthy lifestyle as the main contributing factor.
Experts say it’s imperative that people of all ages recognize the telltale signs of stroke, which include:
- sudden weakness or dizziness
- sudden numbness, especially on one side of the body
- sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- sudden severe headache
If you notice these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
