Stroke incidence more than doubled among young adults in a recent study.Researchers at the University of Cincinnati analyzed data from 2,076 first-ever strokes among adults ages 20–54 in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region from 1993-1994 to 2020.Over those three decades, the incidence increased from about 34 to 62 strokes per 100,000 people per year.HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES RISING WITH EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, RESEARCH SUGGESTSThe increase was primarily driven by ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked.Among the younger adults who experienced strokes, there was an increase in hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and substance use.Stroke incidence more than doubled among young adults in a recent study.(iStock)"This has major implications, since young people who develop disability from a stroke may no longer be able to work or provide for their families," study co-author David J.
Robinson, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical neurology and rehabilitation medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, told Fox News Digital."We don't know for sure why strokes are becoming more common, and we really need to study this in more depth if we are going to reverse this trend."8 COMMON FOOD PRESERVATIVES LINKED TO HIGHER RISK OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART DISEASEThere was also a sharp increase in documented substance use, which rose from 4.6% to 40.2% in the study period, primarily marijuana."It's hard to say whether this is responsible for any of the rise in stroke; there is a relationship between marijuana use and stroke, but most of the evidence is with heavier use," Robinson said."The relationship between marijuana use and cardiovascular disease needs more study so that we can properly advise our patients."The increase was primarily driven by ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked.
(iStock)In contrast to younger adul...