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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Why are strokes skyrocketing among young adults? Expert reveals shocking causes behind the alarming trend
Once considered a disease of the elderly, strokes are increasingly striking young adults—people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—at an alarming rate. According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke rates among individuals aged 18 to 44 jumped by 14.6% between 2020 and 2022. The shift is raising red flags for neurologists who say they're now treating patients younger than ever before. 'We've never had patients so young,' said Dr. Mohammad Anadani, chief of neuroendovascular services at Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute while talking with the New York Post . 'We don't think about stroke in 20-year-old patients. We feel more pressure when caring for these patients because they are so young.' Healthy, Young—and Hit by a Stroke The trend isn't just numbers—it's deeply personal. Dr. Anadani recently treated two young women, 23 and 24 years old, who had strokes despite appearing healthy. Both were on oral contraceptives, which are known to raise the risk of stroke. One of them also had a congenital heart condition known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO)—a hole in the heart that allowed a blood clot to bypass the lungs and reach the brain. The Theories Behind the Surge Though doctors are still piecing together the reasons behind the rise, Anadani believes the causes are multifaceted. 'It's likely related to a rise in traditional cerebrovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity,' he explained. 'Lifestyle factors like increased stress, long working hours and physical inactivity have also been suggested.' One of the stroke patients, for instance, was working long hours and consuming excessive caffeine. She was drinking energy beverages containing 200 mg of caffeine per can—half the recommended daily limit in just one serving. While energy drinks haven't been directly linked to strokes, studies show they can elevate blood pressure and trigger cardiac arrhythmias, both of which are stroke risks. You Might Also Like: Doctors failed, but ChatGPT, much before, informed her that all was not well with her health. And it came true Energy Drinks and Adderall: A Dangerous Cocktail? Scarsdale-based cardiologist and TikTok health educator Dr. Evan Levine has called out energy drinks as one of the worst choices for heart health. He also warns about the widespread use of stimulants like Adderall, especially among young adults using telehealth services to access prescriptions more easily. 'Young healthy people aged 20 to 40 … have a 57% higher risk [of heart problems] than young healthy people not on these meds,' Levine said. Dr. Anadani doesn't dismiss the concern. 'Regarding Adderall, the evidence is mixed. While most studies did not show a strong association between Adderall use and stroke, some studies did,' he noted, adding that while energy drinks and Adderall could play a role, the bigger culprits likely remain lifestyle-related issues like obesity and chronic stress. A Wake-Up Call for a Generation As stroke cases climb among the young, experts stress the importance of early recognition, preventive care, and lifestyle changes. The warning is clear: strokes are no longer an old person's disease. They can strike at any age—and for this generation, the risks are increasingly real and alarmingly overlooked. You Might Also Like: Wish to age gracefully? Your midlife might be the last call to shape a healthier future, new research warns
New York Post
5 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Why so many people are having strokes in their 20s, 30s and 40s: ‘We've never had patients so young'
Strokes are on the rise among younger people, with a recent CDC report revealing a 14.6% increase among people aged 18–44 from 2020 to 2022. While the alarming trend has been stumping medical professionals, one expert has shared some intriguing theories with The Post. 'We've never had patients so young,' said Dr. Mohammad Anadani, Chief of Neuroendovascular Services for the Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute. Advertisement 4 Dr. Mohammad Anadani, Chief of Neuroendovascular Services for the Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute. Jon Hillenbrand 'We don't think about stroke in 20-year-old patients. We feel more pressure when caring for these patients because they are so young.' Anadani recently treated not one but two extremely young adults who had a stroke — Ann Fulk, 24, and Aubrey Hasley, 23. Their strokes came as a huge surprise to, well, everyone — especially since they were both, by all common standards, healthy. Advertisement Anadani believes both of their strokes were embolic — which means they originated elsewhere in the body and traveled to the brain instead of forming directly in the brain's blood vessels. 'Both were taking oral contraceptives, which are known to increase the risk of stroke,' he said, noting that Aubrey had a patent foramen ovale (PFO), or a hole in her heart, which likely contributed to her stroke by allowing a clot to bypass the lungs and travel to the brain. 'As for the overall increase in strokes among younger adults, the exact reasons are not fully understood,' he said. Advertisement 4 Ann Fulk, who had a stroke when she was 23. Courtesy of Ann Fulk 'However, it's likely related to a rise in traditional cerebrovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. 'Lifestyle factors like increased stress, long working hours and physical inactivity have also been suggested as contributing factors.' Advertisement But there are other factors that could be at play. Fulk noted that she was working a lot at the time of her stroke and, as a result, consuming a lot of caffeine. The product she was drinking contains 200 mg of caffeine per can. Experts recommend no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day for healthy adults. 'While there is no clear evidence directly linking energy drinks to stroke, several studies have reported an increased risk of hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, associated with their use,' Anadani said. 4 Aubrey Hasley, who had a stroke when she was 22. Courtesy of Aubrey Hasley 'These conditions are known risk factors for stroke, so it is plausible that energy drinks may contribute to an elevated risk, especially in vulnerable individuals,' he noted. Indeed, Scarsdale cardiologist and TikTok star Dr. Evan Levine has previously told The Post that he considers energy drinks to be one of the four worst drinks for heart health. Levine also points the finger to the popularity of Adderall and the ease with which it can be obtained — especially with the rise of telehealth companies. Advertisement 'In April 2024, they find that when you follow them up for eight years, young healthy people aged 20 to 40, they have a 57% higher risk than young healthy people not on these meds,' Levine previously told The Post. 4 'As for the overall increase in strokes among younger adults, the exact reasons are not fully understood,' he said. stockdevil – Anadani thinks this theory is a solid maybe. Advertisement 'Regarding Adderall, the evidence is mixed. While most studies did not show a strong association between Adderall use and stroke, some studies did,' he said, 'While energy drinks and Adderall could play a role in the rise of strokes among young adults, they likely contribute to a lesser degree than more well-established risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and chronic stress.'
