Patients as young as 8 reportedly having strokes in Hampton Roads
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Strokes in young people are becoming more frequent, and chronic stress may take the bulk of the blame, among other factors.
In observance of National Stress Awareness Month, 10 On Your Side is exploring the link between the two.
High blood pressure and cholesterol both sound off emotional triggers that can lead to strokes.Those are two major stress factors speeding up the rate at which ages 18 to 44 are experiencing life-threatening brain attacks.
Chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, which inflames the blood vessels. That can result in what the American Heart Association said can lead to an intracerebral hemorrhage stroke, occurring when there's damage and severe bleeding to blood vessels in the brain. These types of strokes are increasing at a faster rate in young people.
Dr. John Agola, interventional radiologist with Sentara Health, said about 10% of patients they see at Sentara for stroke make up younger patient populations, even 8 and 10-year-old's.
'I think it is scary,' Agola said. 'And I think we have to step back a little bit to see what has changed in our life. This has happened over the about the last 10 or 15 years, that probably 10% to 15% increase in the stroke prevalence in those age groups.'
Agola called it an epidemic of poor health. He referenced the 50s and 60s as a time for good public health, but also recognizes times have changed significantly, pointing out the current opioid crisis and unhealthy eating culture.
'I think the general health of the younger population has been demonstrably shown to have been degraded,' Agola said.
He attributes the current climate young people are having to navigate through, like the unstable job market and student loan woes, as heavy contributors to their stress levels.
'You go to school, you get a degree, you have your student loans, and you can't find a job that's super duper stressful,' he said. 'The environment related to the internet, for example, and social media, and what stress that creates for people who have to compare themselves to these elements of perfection that they'll never be able to live up to.'
According to Agola, there are a few types of strokes frequently being seen in young people. No matter the age group, however, he said signs of stroke will be the same.
'So either [a] bland stroke, which means it's a stroke without blood in the brain or a stroke, where blood is presented into the brain,' he said. 'So that's for intracerebral hemorrhage. Now for ischemic strokes, [that] means a stroke without hemorrhage. The risk factors are protean.'
Signs for stroke include numbness to one side of the body, slurred speech, chronic headaches, blurred vision, and challenges with moving or walking.
If you or someone you know has any of the above symptoms, call 911 or head to an emergency room for medical assistance.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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