The world's first global analysis of strokes says the problem is increasingly hitting younger people and that the incidence of the crippling condition worldwide could double by 2030. This is a double bundle of dangerous news rolled into one, for in both cases the results could be devastating. The mid-20s is certainly not the age most people, including most doctors, associate with strokes. But according to studies in The Lancet medical journal younger people with worrying risk factors such as bulging waistlines are becoming increasingly susceptible to strokes. Scientists combing through more than 100 studies from 1990 to 2010 studying stroke patients across the world found the incidence of stroke has jumped by a quarter in people aged 20 to 64 and that those patients make up almost one-third of the total number of strokes. The trend could be the result of both better diagnostics and increasing rates of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Tobacco use and using illegal drugs also boosts the chance of a stroke. Whatever the explanation, the extent of cardiovascular risk factors in this young population is surprising; the focus on controlling these risks has usually been on older adults. Young people think stroke is only a problem of the elderly, but they really should be educated better. If young people understood how debilitating a stroke can be, maybe they would change their behavior. Stroke is still a disease that is much more common in older people, but the hope is that the study serves as a wake-up call that this problem is getting worse in younger people and prompts them to go to the doctor to identify risk factors for stroke and modify them. Most strokes still occur in the elderly and the number of people suffering strokes is still increasing as the world's population ages. Stroke prevalence is highest in East Asia, North America, Europe and Australia, and lowest in Africa and the Middle East, though in the Kingdom, and according to WHO data published in 2011, stroke deaths reached 4,798, or 5.51 percent of total deaths. Saudis should focus on reducing smoking rates further, aggressively control blood pressure, improve eating habits and increase physical activity. People need to be encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles from the time they are very young. They must change unhealthy lifestyles, ones that consumes too much salt and calories. Stroke is largely preventable and eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco abuse can go a long way to prevent stroke. The good news is that some of the contributing factors to strokes can be modified with lifestyle changes. Given the increase in stroke among those younger than 55, younger adults should see a doctor regularly to monitor their overall health and risk for stroke and heart disease. A stroke can be irreversible. A victim can recover, but in some cases the brain damage is permanent. A 40-year-old or less may be paralyzed for the rest of his or her life, forced to live in a care environment like a nursing home, removed from the work force and not able to participate in family and personal activities. Given the new data, it is important for both doctors and patients to keep an eye out for risk factors, even at younger ages.
