Stroke Prevalence Rising Among Young Adults, Study Shows

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a troubling rise in stroke prevalence among younger adults. Between 2011-2013 and 2020-2022, the overall rate of stroke increased by nearly 8%. However, this rise was not uniform across all demographics. In particular, younger adults saw disproportionate increases in stroke cases.

Among adults aged 18-44, stroke prevalence grew by 14.6%, while for those aged 45-64, the increase was even more pronounced at 15.7%. Although stroke rates are still higher among older adults, with those 65 and older experiencing the highest prevalence at 7.7%, the rate of stroke among younger adults is rising at a concerning pace, especially in the 45-64 age group.

Source: Yuliya Taba / Getty

Stroke prevalence varied by ethnicity.

The CDC’s analysis, which compared self-reported health data from 2011-2013 to 2020-2022, showed that the age-standardized stroke rate increased from 2.7% to 2.9%—a 7.8% rise. By race and ethnicity, stroke prevalence was highest among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults (5.3%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NH/PI) adults (4.4%), and Black adults (4.3%), while Asian adults had the lowest stroke rate (1.6%). Stroke rates were also found to be higher among individuals with lower levels of education, with those lacking a high school diploma experiencing stroke rates nearly three times higher than college graduates.

The report also highlighted notable differences by sex and race. From 2011-2013 to 2020-2022, stroke prevalence increased by 9.3% among women and 6.2% among men. Among racial and ethnic groups, stroke prevalence rose by 7.8% in Black adults, 7.2% in white adults, and 16.1% in Hispanic adults. The sharpest rise, 18.2%, occurred among individuals with less than a high school education, the CDC report noted.

Although the stroke rate among younger adults is still lower than that of older populations, the CDC’s findings underscore the growing concern that stroke is becoming increasingly prevalent among people in their 40s and 50s. While stroke remains most common among older adults, the rate among younger adults, particularly in midlife, continues to climb, raising alarms for public health experts.

Given that stroke is typically associated with aging—most strokes occur in individuals in their 70s—the rise in stroke cases among younger adults is especially concerning and warrants further investigation into the underlying causes.

Source: Liubomyr Vorona / Getty

What causes a stroke? How can it be avoided?

Strokes occur when there is a disruption in blood flow to the brain, either through a blockage (ischemic stroke) or sudden bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke), according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH). The majority of strokes—between 82% and 90%—are linked to controllable risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and smoking. 

“This report is concerning because in the younger population, the stroke rates are going up. And they’ve also noted that the rates of obesity and hypertension have been increasing in younger folks. That’s a bad sign,” Gregory W. Albers, M.D., Director of the Stanford Stroke Center at Stanford, said in a statement, according to Healthline. 

Black Americans are particularly vulnerable to stroke, largely due to higher rates of hypertension and obesity within the community. The Office of Minority Health reports that Black Americans are 50% more likely to experience a stroke (cerebrovascular disease) compared to white adults. Additionally, Black men are 70% more likely to die from a stroke than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Even more concerning, a February study led by Dr. Hugo Aparicio, an associate professor at Boston University, found that Black women under the age of 35 with high blood pressure were three times more likely to experience a stroke by middle age.

Fortunately, strokes can often be prevented through lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity. By managing risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing a stroke.

RELATED CONTENT: Cori Broadus Shares Warning Signs Of Her Severe Stroke: ‘Listen To Your Body’