Strokes Increase among the Young

Young adults are more likely to have strokes now than they were in the early 1990s, a new study suggests. The study covered only the greater Cincinnati area, including northern Kentucky. But experts said the trend likely applies nationwide, too. Researchers looked at first-time strokes that occurred between 1993 and 2005. In the first year, people ages 20 to 54 had 13% of the strokes. By 2005, that had jumped to 19%. Stroke rates varied by race. However, increases occurred across all groups. For example, the annual stroke rate for young blacks increased from 83 to 128 per 100,000 people. Among young whites, the rate rose from 26 to 48 strokes per 100,000 people. Better diagnosis could be one reason. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more widely used now. MRI scans may have uncovered more mild strokes.