While you may typically associate strokes with older adults, the truth is that anyone at any age can suddenly have a stroke. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, the rate of strokes in individuals under the age of 50 is rising. In the United States alone, stroke diagnoses have increased by 40% among young adults over the last few decades. Even more surprising, 10 to 15% of strokes occur in young adults aged 18 to 50.
The Causes and Warning Signs of Stroke In Young People
There are several factors that have led to this increase in stroke incidents in younger adults. As well as the usual factors that affect people in general, such as diabetes, blood clots, and high blood pressure, young adults additionally face unique factors such as genetics, pregnancy, and lifestyle. These factors include obesity, smoking, binge drinking, drug use, and high cholesterol levels. Another high-risk factor is if the patient already has sickle cell disease. In fact, almost a quarter of individuals diagnosed with this condition suffer a stroke before they turn 4 years of age. Let’s take a look at five stroke signs to look out for in young adults.
Intense Headaches
A big warning sign is if you suddenly experience an intense headache, unlike anything you have ever felt before. This kind of abrupt and intense headache could be the result of a blood vessel rupture in the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of bleeding can lead to neurological deterioration very quickly, so it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. While experiencing the occasional heading is nothing to worry about, if you start having these sudden and very painful headaches, book an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.
Numbness or Weakness
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Another sign of a stroke is if you suddenly feel numb, weak, or experience a tingling sensation, especially on just one side of your body. This happens when the flow of blood to a certain part of your brain is cut off, resulting in the death of that area’s brain cells. The symptoms of the damage will differ in each patient depending on which part of their brain suffered damage. For example, if the person had a stroke that affected the part of the brain responsible for motor function control, then the symptoms would be unilateral weakness or even paralysis.
Issues Speaking Or Understanding
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Significant signs to look out for are difficulty speaking, issues understanding what people are saying, and sudden confusion. These symptoms appear when the parts of the brain in charge of language are damaged as a result of interrupted blood flow. This usually results in slurred speech, difficulty finding the right words when speaking, and even complete loss of ability to speak. However, sometimes the symptoms are very subtle and may not be noticed at first. If you do notice small changes in speech, seek medical advice to determine whether you need treatment.
Issues With Vision
Issues With Vision
Sudden changes in vision can be another important warning sign of a stroke, even in people who are otherwise young and healthy.
A person may suddenly experience blurred vision, double vision, difficulty seeing objects clearly, or partial or complete loss of sight in one or both eyes. Some people describe a dark curtain or shadow moving across their vision. Others may suddenly struggle to judge distances or notice objects on one side.
These symptoms can occur when a stroke affects the areas of the brain responsible for processing visual information or the blood vessels supplying those areas.
Vision changes are not always accompanied by weakness or difficulty speaking. This is one reason strokes can be overlooked, particularly in younger adults who do not expect to experience a serious neurological emergency.
However, sudden vision problems can also result from other medical conditions, some of which are emergencies in their own right. It is not possible to determine the cause safely at home.
If you suddenly lose vision, develop double vision, or experience another unexplained change in your eyesight, seek emergency medical assessment immediately. Do not wait to see whether the problem improves.
Difficulty Walking, Dizziness, or Loss of Balance
Another warning sign is a sudden change in balance or coordination. Someone experiencing a stroke may suddenly feel as though the room is spinning, struggle to stand, stumble while walking, or become unable to coordinate their movements.
These symptoms may occur when a stroke affects the cerebellum or brainstem, regions involved in balance, movement, and coordination.
It is important to understand that dizziness alone is common and does not automatically mean a person is having a stroke. Dehydration, inner-ear disorders, low blood pressure, and other conditions can also cause dizziness.
The concern is particularly high when dizziness begins suddenly and is accompanied by difficulty walking, double vision, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or severe headache.