NEUROLOGY
STROKE & YOUNGER ADULTS
Long considered adisease of the old , strokes are increasingly affecting younger adults . Americans ages 18 to 55 now accountfor 10-15 % of allstroke patients . Considering nearly 800,000 people ayear in the U . S . have astroke , that ’ s an average of 100,000 adults under age55 . Better diagnostics explain some of thatincrease , asdoesmore public awareness about the telltale signs of stroke . One worrisome development , however , is thathealth problems thatincrease stroke risk — obesity , highblood pressure , diabetes , and high cholesterol — are becomingmore prevalent among youngeradults .
As with older adults , getting immediate treatment can make thedifference between acomplete or strong recovery and the riskoflifelong disabilities , or death . Tremendous advances have been made in stroke treatment , but they are time-sensitive , meaning thestroke must be quickly identified and the patient treated immediately at acomprehensive stroke center .
Most strokes areischemic , caused by ablockage in avessel that supplies blood to thebrain . Patients may receive theclot bustertPA , whichcan reverse or improve symptoms , or have theclotendovascularly removed . The other type is ahemorrhagic
Kristine Arandela , MD , is a vascular neurologist with Atlantic Medical Group and affiliated with Chilton Medical Center .
stroke , in which ablood vessel in or near the brain ruptures or leaks . Patients are administered medications to reduce blood pressureand slow bleeding .
Other symptoms include a severe headache with no known cause , numbness in the face , arm or leg , or sudden confusion .
Americans age 18 to 55 now account for 10-15 % of all stroke patients . Considering nearly 80,000 people a year in the U . S . have a stroke , that ’ s an average of 100,000 adults under age 55 .
Whileyounger stroke victims have lowermortality rates , they can suffer profound deficits . That can mean loss of productivity and diminished physical and mental well-being . Depression and memory loss areconsidered ‘ downstream complications ’ of stroke .
PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE
� If you smoke , stop . Smokers are three times more likely to have astroke than nonsmokers .
� Manage high blood pressure , high cholesterol or diabetes .
� Lower your salt intake and avoid processed foods .
� Ask your nutritionist and health care professional about the benefits of aMediterranean diet .
� Exercise in some form at least 20-30 minutes , three to four times aweek .
� Avoid excessive alcohol use , more than one drink per day for females or two drinks per day for males , and drug use .
If you show symptoms of stroke , call 911 . Don ’ t risk your quality of life .
SPRING 2022 CHILTON MAGAZINE