Stroke in Young Adults

Abstract

The characteristics of the stroke-prone individual were studied in a group of young adults who had suffered a non-embolic cerebral infarction. The assumption made was that the causatively contributory factors and associated diseases would be more easily apparent in patients developing stroke at unusually young age. Fifty-six patients were reviewed who developed stroke at 50 yr. of age or less and who were followed for an average of 27 mo. The incidence in males and females was the same up to 45 yr. of age, following which males predominated. Hypotension at the time of stroke occurred in only 4 patients. Hypertension was present in more than 1/2. Diabetes was present in 22% of patients; a further 20% became diabetic within 3 yr. of the stroke. Abnormalities of serum lipids were found in 1/2 of those tested. In 4 patients specific arterial lesions such as systemic lupus erythematous or syphilis were found. In only 4 patients of the 35 were none of the above associated disorders detected. Thus, diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension or an abnormal blood lipid pattern were found in 86% of the patients studied and constitute some of the features predisposing an individual to cerebral infarction.