Seniors aren’t the only ones now fearing a stroke. A study shows that stroke occurrence risk rises even in younger adults. Researchers say that since 1994 more and more young and middle-aged people have ben having strokes.

A study published October 10th in journal Neurology shows that more and more people are vulnerable to what many thought it was a senior’s concern. Strokes have become a lot more common among people under 55.  In a nutshell, there are more strokes occurring in younger adults than ever before.

Researchers with the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine in Ohio investigated data about stroke patients from 1994 to 2005. The analysis showed that since 1994, the percentage of younger adults suffering strokes has increased considerably. In 1994, the percentage of people 20 to 55 years having strokes was 12.9. By 2005, that percentage rose to 18.6 percent.

“The study found that the average age of people who experienced stroke fell from 71 years in 1993 and 1994 to 69 years in 2005” reads the study. “In addition, the study found that strokes among people under 55 made up a greater percentage of all strokes over time, growing from about 13 percent in 1993-94 to 19 percent in 2005”.

So, why has the stroke occurrence increased among adults 20 to 55 years? It’s no brainer! The food, the air pollution, the constant stress, the hectic schedule etc translate into a poor health condition.  Since 1993, there are a lot more people eating fast food, a lot more obesity patients and a lot more people unaware their lifestyle is creating a major health risk.

“The reasons for this trend could be a rise in risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol” explained lead author Dr. Brett Kissela. “Regardless, the rising trend found in our study is of great concern for public health, because strokes in younger people translate to greater lifetime disability” added. Dr. Kissela.

So if you don’t want to be part of the percentage of younger adults having strokes, Dr. Kissela says there is a way to reduce the risk. “The good news is that some of the possible contributing factors to these strokes can be modified with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise”.