You’re not too young for a stroke: Learn the risks & warning signs

For most 30- and 40-year-olds, stroke risk isn’t something they’re likely concerned about. However, experts say the average age range for stroke is dropping.

The rise of stroke among young adults over the past decade has become so concerning that it was discussed during the American Heart Association’s 2025 International Stroke Conference, says Gena Kreiner, neuroscience and stroke manager, MultiCare Neuroscience Institute.

“As the world turns, they’ve found that younger people are having more of the primary risk factors for stroke that you would typically see in adults, and that are developed over a lifespan, like high blood pressure,” she explains. “Overall, the increase is probably more contributed to poor risk factor management more than anything else.”

What does that mean for young adults? Educating yourself could be the key to knowing when and how to respond. The good news: There’s plenty of ways to lower your risk.

What are stroke risk factors for young adults?

Some of the biggest risk factors — across all age groups — are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and alcohol use, explains Azima Shaji, MD, neurohospitalist, MultiCare Neuroscience Institute.

High blood pressure is the cause of roughly 60 percent of strokes regardless of age, Kreiner says. Young adults are more likely to choose activities that could increase their risk of developing high blood pressure, such as sedentary habits, consuming more highly processed foods, smoking/vaping or excessive alcohol consumption.

Do you know the signs of a stroke?
Learn & BE FAST

Stress is also a common challenge among young adults, who often juggle work with other responsibilities, such as raising children. It can play a significant role in chronic high blood pressure, Kreiner adds.

When you’re stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, periods of stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as emotional eating/drinking, poor sleep and smoking.

Young adults also tend to be susceptible to some of the rarer risk factors, including:

• Hormone therapies: Women taking oral contraceptives are up to two times more likely to have a stroke, and pregnant patients are also at higher risk — both situations that tend to occur earlier in life.
• Drug use: Drug use is higher in young people compared to older adults. Drug-induced strokes can be especially hard to treat, and in many cases lead to irreversible brain and blood vessel damage.
• Injury: Young people are more likely to participate in activities such as martial arts, soccer, horseback riding or other physical activities that increase their risk for neck injuries, which could lead to stroke.

How to better manage stroke risk factors

Eighty percent of strokes are preventable through risk management, including lifestyle changes, Kreiner says.

“You have to be consistent, and that can be hard for many people,” she says. “But it doesn’t have to be big changes. Just make them part of your everyday.”

If your goal is to be more active, take time to find out what will be enjoyable and work for you long term, Kreiner explains, such as hiking, gardening or simply going on a walk after dinner.

“We’ve gotten so used to living a fast-paced life,” she adds. “And sometimes we just need to sit back and say, ‘Let’s go on a walk and relax.'”

Picking what works best for you should also include what’s safe. For example, arteries in your neck can be easily injured, which can lead to stroke. Young adults are more likely to participate in activities that can injure the neck, like contact sports, massages or chiropractic maneuvers, Dr. Shaji explains.

“We’re not going to stop you from doing your sport or activity unless we have a specific reason for concern,” she says. “But there are things we can avoid or limit.”

On the mental health side, learning to manage your stress and teach children how to do so from a young age is also key.

The stress from the COVID-19 pandemic may still be impacting children or young adults, Dr. Shaji explains. That stress impacts the nervous system, and without the tools to regulate that response, it can have negative effects as you age.

Focus on creating healthy habits as young as possible, including:

• Developing a good sleep routine
• Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet
• Staying physically active/avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
• Stimulating your brain with things like puzzles
• Maintaining strong, supportive social connections
• Avoiding/limiting alcohol and substance use

Don’t ignore the signs of a stroke

Don’t let the assumption that you’re too young to have a stroke keep you from seeking care when warning signs arise.

Ninety percent of adult stroke patients show significant improvement in outcomes and long-term recovery if the stroke is caught and treated on time, Dr. Shaji explains. That recovery is even better among young adults.

Historically, health care experts have stressed the importance of treatment within four-and-a-half hours of the start of symptoms — however, current research shows that treatment can still be effective within 24 hours, she adds. Still, the sooner the better.

“If there’s any kind of neurological symptom, don’t wait to get care,” Dr. Shaji says. “Go the ER right away … we don’t want to miss it.”

Protect yourself by knowing the signs to seek immediate care — BE FAST:

• Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes: Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Face: Smile looks uneven or lopsided; one side of the face feels numb or droops
• Arm: One arm or leg feels weak or numb; inability to raise both arms at the same time
• Speech: Slurred or hard-to-understand speech
• Time: If any of the above symptoms are present, call 911 immediately

“Some people will think the symptoms will go away. … Weakness in the right arm is not normal, and even if it does go away, you need to go to an emergency department,” Kreiner explains. “It could be other things, but either way it’s something you need to get help for.”

In cases where the symptoms stop, that doesn’t mean the potential risk is any less. You could be experiencing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also commonly referred to as a ministroke. The symptoms of TIA are the same as a stroke, except they last less than 24 hours and sometimes only a matter of minutes.

However, one-third of people who experience a TIA will have a full stroke within seven days, which could have been prevented by seeking care right away.