University of Cincinnati
09/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2026 18:32
More young adults are having strokes than three decades ago
More young adults are having strokes than three decades ago
UC research team publishes findings in Neurology
4 minute read September 23, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Story Like
Stroke is becoming more common among younger adults, according to a study led by University of Cincinnati researchers published Sept. 23, 2026, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The team found that strokes among adults ages 20 to 54 nearly doubled over almost three decades, even as short-term survival after stroke improved.
"While stroke has traditionally been considered a disease of older adults, our findings show that stroke is becoming increasingly common in younger adults," said study author Emily R. Fisher, MD, a vascular neurology fellow in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine in UC's College of Medicine. "At the same time, more people are surviving these strokes, which means more younger adults may be living with the long-term effects of stroke."
Researchers pulled data from the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study, which has been following stroke epidemiology in a five-county region in Greater Cincinnati since 1993. This area is a microcosm of the United States, with representations of race, educational attainment and socioeconomic status that are similar to the country as a whole.
Emily Fisher, MD. Photo/University of Cincinnati.
The team identified 2,076 first-ever strokes among adults ages 20 to 54. Additionally, the rate of strokes among younger adults increased from 33.9 cases per 100,000 person-years in 1993-1994 to 62.2 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2020.
The increase appeared to be driven by ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. The ischemic stroke rate rose from 23.8 cases per 100,000 person-years in 1993-1994 to 47.3 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2020. Researchers did not find similar increases for other types of stroke, such as intracerebral hemorrhage, a bleeding stroke within the brain, or subarachnoid hemorrhage, a bleeding stroke around the brain.
The data showed some health problems became more common over time among people who had a stroke. There were increases in high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and substance use among younger adults who had a stroke. Substance use among younger adults with stroke increased from 4.6% in 1993-1994 to 40.2% in 2020, with much of the increase reflecting marijuana use.
Researchers also looked at 30-day death rates after stroke. After adjusting for age, race and sex, researchers found a slight decline over time, from 11.7% in 1993-1994 to 9.4% in 2020. Improvements were largely seen among people with intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Our findings highlight the importance of identifying and managing stroke risk factors early in adulthood.
Emily Fisher, MD
"Our findings highlight the importance of identifying and managing stroke risk factors early in adulthood," Fisher said. "Additional research is needed to better understand what is driving these trends and how they can be reversed."
A limitation of the study was that researchers did not have comparable information from people without stroke, so they could not determine whether observed trends in risk factors explain the increase in stroke rates.
Remember how to identify a stroke
Because of the quick onset of stroke, it is important to know the FAST mnemonic device that details the most common signs of stroke and how to respond:
- F: Facial drooping
- A: Arm or leg drop, or weakness in the arm or leg
- S: Speech issues, such as slurred speech or an inability to get your words out
- T: Time is of the essence; call 911 immediately
A version of this release was originally published by the American Academy of Neurology. Learn more at AAN.com
Featured photo at top of a woman talking with her doctor. Photo/Courtney Hale/iStock Photo.
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University of Cincinnati published this content on September 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 24, 2026 at 00:33 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]