New research based in the UK has shown that cases of young adult stroke have seen a sharp increase.
The study, had a focus group of over 94,000 individuals in Oxfordshire.
The rate of new stroke cases in Oxfordshire over the last 20 years, was analysed to reflect emerging evidence that young adult stroke is a problem that is growing in high-income.
Traditionally, vascular risk factors like high blood pressure, are thought to play a minor role in young adult stroke, however, recent studies have begun to contradict this view.
Dr Linxin Li from the University of Oxford is investigating the role of treatable risk factors in young adult stroke, with the research focussing on multiple types of stroke.
This new study, headed by researchers from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Oxford.
Researchers examined whether stroke incidence in younger and older people changed from 2002 to 2018, using data from The Oxford Vascular Study, which includes 94,567 individuals registered with GP practices across Oxfordshire.
The researchers took into account other factors such as lifestyle, changes in diagnostic practises, control of traditional vascular risk factors, and sex-specific causes of stroke.
They discovered that between 2002 – 2010 and 2010-2018, there was a 67 per cent increase in young adult stroke (under 55-years-old). A similar divergence in incidence was not found for other vascular events, such a heart attacks.
Amongst young adult stroke cases, there was a significant increase in the proportion who were in more skilled occupations, particularly for professional or managerial roles.
Therefore, suggesting that a role for work-related stress, low physical activity and long working hours play a role in stroke, as each of these were more strongly associated with risk of stroke than heart attack.
Additionally, the prevalence of traditional vascular risk factors in those who had young adult stroke was also high, thus emphasising the importance of identifying and managing these risk factors.
Dr Li says: “Our study shows a worrying rise in young stroke cases across Oxfordshire, reflecting a similar picture across other high-income countries.”
“Establishing the importance of known risk factors in young stroke will help to raise general awareness of the need for better control. We also need better ways of identifying young people at high risk of stroke, as current risk models are based on predictors of stroke in older people.”
Dr Angela Hind, chief executive of the Medical Research Foundation says: “Historically, we’ve thought of stroke as only affecting older adults, but studies like this suggest a growing problem in young adults.”
“Stroke in young adults can have a huge impact, often occurring when they are starting a family or already have young children to look after, and have yet to reach the peak of their careers. The economic, social and personal consequences can be devastating.
“More research needs to be done to increase understanding of the causes of young stroke and the best ways of preventing it. This is why we’re supporting researchers like Dr Li, who are pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge surrounding young stroke.”
