Strokes, once considered a health concern primarily for older adults, are increasingly affecting younger generations, raising alarm among medical professionals.
In France, strokes are a leading cause of death, ranking first among women and third among men. With over 150,000 new cases each year and more then 30,000 fatalities, the impact of this condition is significant, according to the French National Authority for Health (HAS). Alarmingly, strokes are no longer confined to the elderly; they are increasingly affecting middle-aged individuals, particularly women under 55.
“As the population ages and life expectancy has increased, there are more and more strokes,” explains Dr. michael Obadia, head of the neurovascular department at the Adolphe de Rothschild Foundation hospital.
Dr. Obadia also points to advancements in medical diagnostics as a contributing factor.“Thanks to advances in medicine and brain imaging, we are making more diagnoses than in the past,” he continues. Data from Public Health France supports this observation, revealing a rise in the proportion of young stroke patients from 9% between 1985 and 2002 to 11.8% between 2003 and 2011.
This concerning trend is linked to a rise in risk factors among younger populations. “More and more of them are affected by overweight,obesity,diabetes,high blood pressure,high cholesterol,smoking and sedentary lifestyle,” Dr. Obadia warns.“Tho, these risk factors are well known and modifiable for 90% of them.”
Preventing strokes and recurrence hinges on adopting healthy habits. Dr. Obadia emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and managing weight by limiting salt and fat intake. “Without this, strokes risk exploding in the years to come,” he cautions.
Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is abruptly interrupted, either due to a blocked blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel. Ischemic stroke, the most common type, often manifests as facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body, and speech difficulties, sometimes accompanied by severe headaches, balance problems, and vision impairment.
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