Why the youth in many parts of urban India are getting strokes

The World Health Organization (WHO) holds stroke as the second-biggest factor responsible for mortality and its increase across the world, especially in India, is alarming, more so in the younger generations.

Heart attack or stroke used to be a disease restricted to older age groups and usually those with a history of cholesterol, smoking and diabetes. But with time, there has been a drastic change in the stroke age group landscape as well.

Youth as young as 25 years have succumbed to sudden cardiac arrests, thanks to sedentary modern-day lifestyles.  The Information Technology hub of Bengaluru itself has seen a 15-20 per cent rise in the number of stroke patients last year and a significant percentage of those were the young IT crowd.

Health experts highlight that while there are several modifiable, non-modifiable, genetic as well as blood-related factors that are responsible for strokes, the highest amount of blame is on lifestyles being followed which come with advanced levels of stress.

Ischemic strokes, which are on the rise, happen when a blockage cuts off blood supply to the brain and are the most common form of stroke. While hemorrhagic strokes, which are much less common, are caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain.

These days, most young people are caught up in leading a hectic lifestyle where they work for 12-14 hours a day at least and stay up late at night. This has become the norm. Odd hours of sleeping or lack of sleep as well as consuming more of processed food instead of a nutritious diet only pulls one away from a healthier life.

Hypertension, lipid disorders, diabetes, tobacco use, smoking, obesity are all risk factors involved in making strokes so common. The probability of having three or more of these determinants has doubled in men and women hospitalised for acute ischemic strokes. As stroke hospitalisations have gone down in numbers among the aged, they shockingly shot up among youngsters.

The hospitalisation ratio for women in the age group of 18 to 44 years has also enhanced. While stress was determined to be one major cause for this, another factor considered for women was the use of contraceptives. Hormonal birth control methods have usually been correlated with a slight increase in the risk of blood clots; and since blood clots account for 87 per cent of all strokes, hence the derivation. However, views differ on this.

A stroke is not always of high intensity. Sometimes, it may only be a numbness even without pain. Headaches, migraines or constant hiccups, if not resolved, can become a symptom. If the underlying factors of stroke are not addressed after having one, then the chances of strokes significantly rise further.

Doctors often highlight the importance of taking timely medication when it comes to the heart, and the need to have regular check-ups to stay aware of your body and not ignore any signs of a stroke. Time-loss is brain-loss when it comes to a stroke. Approximately two million brain cells die every minute a stroke is untreated, increasing the risk of disability or death.

Up to 15 per cent of strokes now hit people who are below the age of 45. Having a stroke when you are young means many years of dealing with its potentially devastating effects during what should be your most productive years.

The main reasons why strokes are increasing in youngsters are:

• Smoking: As someone rightly said, "The more you smoke, the more you stroke".
• High blood pressure: Some 20 per cent of people between the ages of 20 and 39 have high blood pressure, the main factor for strokes.
• Obesity: A higher risk of stroke is also influenced by more body mass and obesity is almost becoming a norm these days in children and teenagers due to junk food consumption.
• High cholesterol: As is known, high cholesterol was among the most prevalent features for younger people experiencing a stroke.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): A lot of youngsters in the age group of 18-24 have at least one coronary heart disease risk factor that further exposes them to the risk of a blocked artery that can lead to a stroke.

However, many health experts still believe that around 80 per cent of all heart diseases are preventable through healthier diet and lifestyle choices. Keeping yourself active and doing moderate exercises, avoiding junk food, smoking, excessive alcohol, and drugs as well as keeping track of your blood pressure, cholesterol and overall body health are some small choices that you can inculcate each day to ensure a healthier life for yourself and stay away from the risk of stroke.

 Everyone must also remember the acronym FAST to rapidly detect a stroke

1) Face drooping: Check if one side of the face is drooping

2) Arm weakness: Check if one of the arms is weak or numb

3) Speech disability: Has your speech become slurred? Are you unable to speak or understand others?

4) Time to call emergency: Call the emergency even if none of the above is mentioned

Advait Prakash Kulkarni is Consultant – Neurologist at the Columbia Asia Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru

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