Numbers of Young Stroke Victims on the Rise
Recent studies have shown that in just over a decade the increased risk of stroke in the young adult population, aged 20 to 55, has risen from 1 in 8 to 1 in 5. Although researchers believe that the growing obesity and diabetes rate, as well as high cholesterol are significant factors, they were still surprised by the numbers.
According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, these younger stroke survivors are at great risk of dying young, and the death rate is even higher among those with the most common kind of stroke, caused by a blood clot in the brain.
Whatever the cause, getting immediate medical when you see any hint of a stroke can determine the different between life and death, or being permanent disabled. The National Stroke Association recommends using the FAST acronym to help remember the warning signs of stroke:
F = FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME: If you observe any of these make sure to call
