Strokes Increasing in Teens, Young Adults, and People Under 50? Why Are They Dying?

Stroke is the forth leading cause of death and the main cause of long-term disability here in the United States. In the past, the majority of people who suffered strokes were over the age of 65. There were few middle aged or young adults in those numbers. That is not the case today. Government researchers evaluated hospitalizations in 41 states covering over 8 million cases between the years 1994-95 and 2006-2007. Their research revealed some alarming new stroke trends.

Strokes in young men 15-34 years of age increased 51 percent.

Strokes in men 35-44 years of age increased 47 percent.

Strokes in young women between the ages of 15-34 increased 17 percent.

Strokes in women ages 35 to 44 increased 36 per cent.

These strokes statistics are important because they affect our own health, the health of our husband or partner, and the health and future of our children.

According to the experts, the following factors are responsible for these new stroke trends in our young adults and early middle aged population: The increase of recreational drug use in these groups is a major factor we need to address now not later.

The American Junk Food Diet: Poor food choices loaded with empty calories, salt, sugar, and fat.

Soda Intake: Researchers have found that people who drink diet soda everyday have a 48% higher risk for strokes or heart attacks. This is a significant factor in the diet of almost every American family. Soda ends up in almost every American shopping cart. Many families go through a six pack to two packs of soda per day. That does not take into consideration the super size sodas at fast food places.

Salt Intake : The American Heart Association sets a healthy intake of salt to 1,500 milligrams per day. If you consume more than that, your risks for high blood pressure and stroke increase. Each added 500 milligrams of salt raise your risk by 16 percent. Those who take in 4,000 milligrams of salt per day raise that risk by 2.5 times. Even if you don't add it in to your food, it is found in all processed foods. It's in everything from soups, Chinese food, canned foods, to tomato products.

The Worst Salt Offenders:

Processed Foods: The top offender because we eat them every day. Cream of mushroom soup contains 870 mg of sodium; Andersen's Split Pea soup contains 780 mg; and Progresso Vegetable Classic soup contains 600 mg. This is just a sample. As we have gotten away from home made meals, we increase our risk for strokes and other health problems.

Pizza: Most people eat a minimum of two to three slices of pizza each. Most men will eat half a pizza by themselves. That is not even considering the garlic bread or soda. Each pizza slice contains from 500 to on average 750 grams of salt. Some pizzas have as much as 13 grams of salt such as Pizza Hut's 'BBQ Meat Lovers Pizza'. Pizza is a staple for many families at least once a week, if not more. The study didn't find that any one pizza brand was really better than the others, some were just worse.

Hamburgers with Fries : A McDonald's hamburger contains an average of 530 milligrams of salt; a small order of fries about 220. Some burgers have more depending on the number of patties, the sauce and cheese added. Many people get the large fries and even double fries. I am amazed at how much a teenage male can eat.

Lack of Exercise: We need to shut off the TV and our computers and get moving. We have become a nation of couch potatoes that have become chained to video games, TV, and computers.

Obesity: Americans including most women are significantly overweight or obese in the United States. This factor is getting worse each year. Obesity leads to diabetes and cardiovascular disease including strokes.

Diabetes: The risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease is 21/2 times higher in men and women with diabetes, without any other risk factors present. Diets laden with fat, salt, sugar, and calories is the main cause of diabetes and obesity.

High Blood Pressure: Nurses and Doctors such as Dr. Jeffrey Saver, director of the UCLA stroke center is seeing increased stroke cases in young people with high blood pressure and clogged arteries.

Smoking : a significant factor in stokes because of its effect on the blood vessels.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse:

Excess alcohol is responsible for higher blood pressure and impaired clot ability;

Cocaine increases blood pressure; bleeding in the brain; narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain; intravenous use may cause endocarditis and embolic stroke.

Heroin increases the risk of endocarditis and embolic stroke.

Amphetamines causes high blood pressure which results in a stroke.

As women, we are the one mainly responsible for the meals our family eats. We need to set an example. We need to do a better job in showing our partners and our children, why they need to eat better. If we are overweight, what does that show our children? If we eat junk food, that impacts our family in the choices they make now and later. Women, men, children, and young adults are dying earlier from stokes. Many of the factors above are within our ability to change. We can make more of an effort to make teens aware of how their drug use and diet can destroy their health. Let 2011 be the new start in your family to become healthier.

References:

http://stroke.about.com/od/strokeprevention/a/drugs_stroke.htm

http://diabetes.webmd.com/diabetes-stroke

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/pizza-contains-a-lot-of-salt-research-20090519-bcwj.html

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=126208&cn=303

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110209/ap_on_he_me/us_med_stroke_younger_victims

http://womenfitness.net/news/nutrition_wellness/too_much_salt.htm

http://www.strokeconference.org