Stroke remains a critical and often silent killer, affecting individuals of all ages, though different age groups face varying levels of risk. “Stroke refers to a vascular insult to the brain, where a blockage in the brain’s arteries disrupts essential blood flow,” explains Dr. Arjun Srivatsav, Director and Head of the Institute of Neurosciences, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru. He adds that because brain cells die faster than other body cells, strokes need to be treated as an urgent and life-threatening event.
According to recent statistics, one in four people will experience a stroke during their lifetime, with a stroke occurring globally every three seconds. While strokes were once viewed predominantly as an ailment of the elderly, data indicates that 63% of strokes now occur in individuals under 70, with 10–15% affecting adults between 18 and 50. For older adults, a primary cause is often the hardening of arteries due to atherosclerosis — a buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque that blocks blood flow. However, Dr. Srivatsav notes that younger people, including those between 18 and 45, are also vulnerable due to common risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Other triggers for stroke in younger populations include specific cardiac and hematologic conditions, infections, inflammatory illnesses, certain medications, and in some cases, genetics. Alarmingly, in 25–35% of young stroke victims, the exact cause remains undetermined.
Dr. Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS for the Indian Subcontinent, underscores the high stroke burden in India. “Despite being the second leading cause of death in India, stroke remains poorly understood and inadequately addressed,” he remarks.
Stroke and cardiovascular diseases often share common risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), diabetes, smoking, and obesity—lifestyle-related issues that are increasingly prevalent in India. Stroke typically strikes without warning, either from a blocked artery that impairs brain blood supply or from a vessel rupture that results in bleeding and increased brain pressure.
Common symptoms include weakness, slurred speech, visual disturbances, paralysis, or, in severe cases, death. Dr. Vora emphasizes that the consequences of a stroke extend beyond the patient, significantly impacting the lives of family caregivers. He advocates for a proactive approach in stroke prevention, including lifestyle adjustments like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and diligent blood pressure control.
When it comes to infants, strokes can even occur before birth or within the first 28 days afterward, a condition known as perinatal stroke. “Approximately 80–85% of strokes, irrespective of age, are ischemic—meaning they result from a clot stopping blood flow to the brain,” explains Dr. Srivatsav. In perinatal cases, arterial ischemic infarctions account for most strokes, though some are due to brain hemorrhages or blood clots.
The potential for recovery from a stroke also varies with age. Younger people often experience quicker recovery, as their brains have a greater capacity for “plasticity”—the ability to rewire circuits around damaged areas. Nonetheless, older patients can still experience healing, although often at a slower pace due to a reduced capacity for brain plasticity.
Certain hereditary disorders, like sickle cell anemia, are linked to an increased risk of stroke in younger people. As Dr. Srivatsav highlights, common stroke symptoms—including facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body, and speech loss—are similar across age groups. However, young people may also experience additional symptoms such as dizziness, slurred speech, vision loss, double vision, or difficulty walking. Awareness gaps mean that strokes in younger individuals may be misinterpreted, delaying treatment.
World Stroke Day serves as a crucial reminder of the global burden of cerebrovascular disease. Dr. Vora believes that this awareness day is an opportune moment to encourage lifestyle changes and increase understanding of stroke symptoms across age groups.
