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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.
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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.
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