NEW YORK, Aug 26: Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a troubling trend: stroke deaths among adults aged 45 to 64 have increased in recent years. Stroke, a condition caused by blocked blood flow or sudden bleeding in the brain, can lead to lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or death if not treated promptly.

According to the CDC, stroke death rates for middle-aged adults decreased from 2002 to 2012. However, between 2012 and 2019, these rates rose by 7%, and another 12% increase was observed through 2021. While the stroke death rate for men decreased slightly (by 2%) through 2022, rates for women remained largely unchanged.

The report does not delve into the reasons behind the spike in stroke deaths, but experts have suggested several possible factors.

1. Increased Risk Factors:

An uptick in stroke risk factors among middle-aged adults is one possible explanation. Conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, alongside poor lifestyle habits like excessive alcohol use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, have become more prevalent. These factors contribute to atherosclerosis, a common stroke cause. Dr. Fan Caprio, a vascular neurologist at Northwestern Medicine, notes that these risk factors are increasingly affecting younger populations as well, leading to larger and more severe strokes.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is particularly notable. Adam Vaughan, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, highlights that more than half of middle-aged adults with hypertension have "uncontrolled hypertension," either untreated or inadequately managed. Dr. Mona Bahouth, medical director of the Brain Rescue Unit at Johns Hopkins Medicine, emphasizes that high blood pressure is often asymptomatic, making it difficult to detect without regular measurement.

2. Missed Medical Appointments:

Socioeconomic disparities might also contribute to the rise in stroke deaths. Vaughan points out that limited access to healthcare can result in undiagnosed or poorly managed risk factors and delayed treatments. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated the issue, as stroke death rates spiked 12% during the early years of the pandemic. This increase could be attributed to missed doctor appointments and preventive screenings, though Bahouth notes that the upward trend in stroke deaths began before the pandemic.

3. Delayed Recognition of Stroke Symptoms:

Another factor could be the delayed recognition of stroke symptoms. Stroke is often perceived as an "elderly disorder," leading to a delay in seeking medical attention when symptoms appear in middle-aged individuals. Dr. Caprio stresses the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms early, including:

Immediate medical attention is crucial. Recognizing these symptoms and calling an emergency number can be lifesaving, reduce brain damage, and help prevent future strokes.