Stroke Rising in Young Populations: Here’s What You Need to Know

(StatePoint) Often times stroke is associated with older populations, but many people are unaware that it can occur at any age. In fact, one out of five people who have a stroke are under age 55.

A stroke is a brain attack that occurs when blood vessels in the brain are blocked or burst. Strokes can cause long-term disability, impair a person’s ability to speak, see or move, and can even result in death. While you can lose everything to stroke, taking quick action at the first sign can help with recovery and have a lasting impact. Unfortunately, almost 30% of adults younger than 45 don’t know the five most common symptoms of a stroke, according to research published in The American Heart Association’s “Stroke.” At the same time, stroke is on the rise in that age group.