Results: Dying Too Young -- The Increase In Strokes Among Younger People

Actor Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210, Riverdale) died today, of a massive stroke, at the age of 52 and many are questioning how someone so young could die from a stroke -- once thought as a disease that happens in older people. It actually is much more common than one would think, and is increasing in occurrence. Do you know anyone who had a stroke?

Strokes are brain attacks. They occur when the blood supply to the brain becomes blocked. A stroke is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and early 800,000 people have a stroke each year. The alarming thing is that even though the overall rate of stroke is decreasing, it is increasing for young and middle-aged people. The most important thing when you suspect you or someone you are with is having a stroke, is to get immediate medical attention. Strokes need to be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible to minimize brain damage. These are the signs of a stroke: Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body), Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech, Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes, Sudden difficulty walking or dizziness, loss of balance or problems with coordination, and Severe headache with no known cause. Did you know these prior to this survey?

One of the big differences between stroke in older people and younger people is recovery. Stroke in young people can mean a lifetime of recovery and a loss of many productive years. The good news is that a 30-year-old has a better rate of recovery than an 80-year-old because of better brain plasticity, the brain's ability to adjust and learn new skills. Still, the best way to avoid a stroke, at any age, is to reduce the risk factors. Do you have any of the following risk factors for stroke?