A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to the brain is cut off. They’re typically associated with older adults, especially those over 65. But health care providers are seeing more strokes among younger patients.
Dr. Leo Odle is the associate medical director at Optum Primary Care in Gilbert. He says there’s been an increase in strokes in younger adults since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID brought about a much more sedentary lifestyle that I don't think our young people have recovered from. A sedentary lifestyle leads to high cholesterol, it leads to obesity, it leads to sleep apnea — all of which are risk factors for stroke," Odle said.
Another contributing factor, he said, is “the rising use of illicit drugs, and especially stimulants, methamphetamine in particular, has been associated with strokes.”
A 2024 report by the Centers for Disease Control found one of the most notable increases in stroke prevalence was among 18 to 44 year olds.
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