Troubling Increase in Stroke Among Young People

According to research published this week in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the rate of stroke among people ages 25 to 44 has increased nearly 44% during the study period, 2000 to 2010.  Most suffered an ischemic stroke which is caused by an artery blockage in the brain.

GlobalMed® Founder and CEO Joel E. Barthelemy was ahead of the curve on this health issue.  Nearly three years ago, he reported on the the younger aged increase, citing three people in the public eye.  He also explained how telemedicine is playing a role in helping people who develop stroke symptoms.

The one bright spot in the study is that overall fewer people are being hospitalized for stroke.  The greatest drop is among people 65 and older.  Some suggest that older adults are doing a better job of monitoring their blood pressure and controlling their blood sugar.  

Still, I saw an earlier study from the American Academy of Neurologists which stated that the average American is 60 minutes away from a specialist who can prescribe the thrombolytic therapy using TPA, a clot-busting drug.  Here in Arizona area, you could easily be 60 minutes away or more from a neurologist. That's why the Mayo Telestroke Network is so important in this state, linking the hospitals in smaller communities with telestroke neurologists in Phoenix.