What Most Often Causes Strokes Before the Age of 45

Ischemic stroke in young people (18-45 years old) occurs in approximately 5-14% of cases. However, its causes in young people differ from those in older individuals. In young people, non-atherosclerotic vascular diseases (i.e., not related to "clogging" of blood vessels by cholesterol) play a significant role, describes Svetlana Kuzmenka, head of neurological department No. 1 of the Minsk Regional Clinical Hospital for Disabled Veterans of the Great Patriotic War named after P. M. Masherov, in "Medical Bulletin".

One of the most common causes is artery dissection (separation of the vessel wall). This occurs when the inner wall of the artery tears, and blood enters the wall, forming a hematoma. As a result, the vessel narrows or even closes — and a stroke may occur.

The main reason this happens is weakness of the vessel walls (often genetic).

But there are also factors that can provoke the problem.

Head and neck trauma, excessive sudden turning of the head, head hyperextension and its uncomfortable position ("beauty salon syndrome"), engaging in certain sports (swimming), long conversations on a mobile phone when the device is held by the shoulder, uncomfortable head position during sleep.

Also included are intubation anesthesia, manual therapy, and intense straining during childbirth.

Cases of vessel wall dissection during physical strain such as coughing, vomiting, or lifting heavy objects have been described. However, it is important to understand that these factors lead to damage to the vascular wall only when it is weak.

Viruses can also weaken blood vessels.

More often affected are the internal carotid artery and the vertebral artery.

The following story is presented, which happened to a 28-year-old male IT specialist. He was admitted to the hospital complaining of dizziness, unsteady gait, numbness in his arms and legs, and episodes of transient speech and memory impairment. The day before, while walking, he slipped, fell, and hit his neck with his left shoulder. He did not lose consciousness, but afterwards felt numbness of the tongue, brief dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and impaired speech. The symptoms subsided after 10-15 minutes, so the man did not seek medical help immediately. However, the symptoms recurred a day later, and he went to the hospital. He was hospitalized on an emergency basis. The man's medical history included arterial hypertension and rare colds.

He had a very rare case — several arteries were damaged at once.

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