Data from the population-based epidemiology Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study found that the average age having a stroke dropped from 71.2 years in 1993/4 to 69.2 years in 2005.
The proportion of all strokes occurring in the under-55 age group rose sharply from 12.9% in 1993/4 to 18.6% in 2005.
The stroke rate in young people increased in both African-Americans and Caucasians, from 83 strokes per 100 000 people in 1993/4 in African-Americans to 128 per 100 000 in 2005 and in Caucasians from 26 strokes per 100 000 people in 1993/4 to 48 per 100 000 in 2005.
Lead researcher Dr Brett Kissela tied the rise in younger people to increases in obesity and type 2 diabetes. He said: ““The reasons for this trend could be a rise in risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol. Other factors, such as improved diagnosis through the increased use of MRI imaging may also be contributing. Regardless, the rising trend found in our study is of great concern for public health because strokes in younger people translate to greater lifetime disability.”
The study is published in Neurology online.
