Strokes are increasing in the younger population

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Some people don’t even know when they’re having a stroke. It could be something insignificant, like loss of movement in your body or inability to speak. If not treated immediately, you can die.

During National Stroke Awareness Month, health experts are telling people that strokes don’t just happen when you get older. A stroke can also affect young adults. Incidents have increased among the younger population over the years.

“Uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking is a big risk factor in young people, so we see a lot of these things that are not well controlled and that contribute a lot to the increase in strokes” , said nurse practitioner Aspirus. Dana Stewart.

Ross Landes is a 41-year-old father of five. He considered himself healthy until he recently had a stroke at home.

“I was working in my basement and I had my arms up and my arm just fell to the side… I kind of thought, ‘Well, was that a pinched nerve or was that something else? thing? Around the same time, everything started spinning,” Landes said.

There’s a reason people have strokes that have nothing to do with smoking, high cholesterol, or less physical activity. This is something that can only be detected with a scan. This is called a PFO.

“A PFO is a patent foramen ovale, which is something people are born with, and about 30% of the population are born with that and it’s usually not a problem until we see a younger patient who comes up with a stroke,” Stuard said.

After learning that he had had a stroke, Ross was shocked. He will soon undergo surgery, so he changes his lifestyle to regain normal health.

“I am currently undergoing treatment. There are medications to be taken short term until the date of surgery and then after surgery. I tried to eat healthy, you know, be active to some degree and I guess after the stroke it’s just a reaffirmation,” Landes said.

Stuard says to go see a doctor if you think something is wrong with your body mentally or physically. Once it is confirmed that you have PFO and have had a stroke, treatment will take place and surgery can be discussed.

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