Study: Strokes are becoming more common at a younger age
Study: Strokes are becoming more common at a younger age
A new study suggests that stroke may be affecting people at a younger age than used to be the case. The research, published in the October 10, 2012, issue of Neurology, notes that the reasons for the trend could be an increase in risk factors for stroke such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, but improved diagnostic techniques could also be playing a role.
The researchers looked at the occurrence of stroke in people between the ages of 20 and 54 in greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky during three separate, year-long periods between July 1993 and June 1994, and the calendar years of 1999 and 2005. The investigators determined that the average age of people who experienced stroke for the first time fell from age 71 in 1993 and 1994 to age 69 in 2005.
In addition, the researchers found that strokes among people younger than age 55 became more prevalent as the years progressed. This younger group made up about 13% of the population experiencing strokes in 1993 and 1994, and 19% of the population in 2005. The researchers noted that the stroke rate in the younger-than-age-55 group grew from 83 strokes per 100,000 people in 1993 and 1994 to 128 strokes per 100,000 people in 2005, and in Caucasians from 26 strokes per 100,000 people in 1993-1994 to 48 per 100,000 people in 2005.
A new study suggests that stroke may be affecting people at a younger age than used to be the case.Subscribe Now for Access
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