Why Are So Many Young Adults Having Strokes?

The Trend: We tend to think of strokes as an older person’s problem. But now, young people are having them more than most people realize — research shows stroke rates climbed by as much as 15.7% among adults ages 18 to 44 over the past decade. So what’s behind this rise?

What People Are Saying: Researchers point to rising rates of high blood pressure and high cholesterol as major drivers — with obesity and diabetes increasingly appearing in younger adults — while a more sedentary lifestyle may also be adding to these risks. Vaping and ADHD medications may be a contributing factor for some people, though experts don’t believe they’re the main driver. Hormonal birth control is also getting a closer look, as a recent study found combined oral contraceptives tripled stroke risk in women ages 18 to 49.  

What to Know: Most of these risk factors for stroke are treatable and reversible — getting a routine checkup and learning your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers is the clearest starting point. And if you’re on hormonal birth control and have other vascular risk factors, it’s well worth having a frank discussion with your doctor.