Stroke can hit at any age

IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that more stroke patients are under the age of 45. In fact, a study in the US has found that while the incidence of stroke is falling in the elderly, it is rising in young adults.

“In most cases of stroke in younger patients, pre-mature atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries is the main cause, contributed by modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol levels and excessive alcohol use,” says Prof Tan

He confirmed that many young stroke patients are not aware of their risk factors because they do not go for screening. While some are aware of their conditions, they do not control these risk factors and are not compliant with their medications.

Apart from awareness on risk factors, the public should also be aware of stroke or transient ischaemic attack symptoms. These include facial weakness, limb weakness and speech difficulty. “Most patients are also unaware of stroke symptoms. They may experience transient ischaemic attack, or a mini-stroke for hours but since they don’t know what the symptoms mean, they just ignore it.”

If patients seek help immediately after the first symptom of stroke, treatment can reduce the likelihood of disability. But time runs out. If they come in late, treatment will become less effective.

IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that more stroke patients are under the age of 45.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/stroke-can-hit-any-age

IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that more stroke patients are under the age of 45. In fact, a study in the US has found that while the incidence of stroke is falling in the elderly, it is rising in young adults.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/stroke-can-hit-any-age

IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that more stroke patients are under the age of 45. In fact, a study in the US has found that while the incidence of stroke is falling in the elderly, it is rising in young adults.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/stroke-can-hit-any-age

IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that more stroke patients are under the age of 45. In fact, a study in the US has found that while the incidence of stroke is falling in the elderly, it is rising in young adults.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/stroke-can-hit-any-age