Saqib Rather
Srinagar, Oct 30: A stroke can strike long before old age, with doctors warning that younger people are increasingly becoming vulnerable to the potentially life-threatening condition due to unhealthy lifestyles, uncontrolled blood pressure and other preventable risk factors.
On the occasion of World Stroke Day, medical experts urged people to abandon the misconception that stroke is primarily an illness of the elderly, stressing that hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, poor dietary habits and physical inactivity are exposing younger populations to serious health risks.
Doctors said greater awareness, regular health screenings and timely medical intervention could prevent several stroke-related emergencies, while recognising symptoms early could significantly improve the chances of recovery.
Dr Syed Maqbool, a cardiologist at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, said changing lifestyle patterns were increasingly contributing to the risk of stroke among younger individuals.
“Stroke is increasingly affecting younger people, and our changing lifestyle is a major contributor. Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and chronic stress are silently increasing the risk,” he said.
He said the growing number of cases was particularly concerning because many of these medical emergencies could be avoided through better management of existing health conditions and timely preventive measures.
“The real concern is not just the rising burden of stroke, but our failure to prevent many of these devastating events,” Dr Maqbool said.
According to doctors, stroke occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel inside the brain ruptures. The resulting damage can lead to paralysis, speech impairment, cognitive difficulties and, in severe cases, death.
Dr Maqbool said people should not wait for warning signs before taking their health seriously, particularly when it comes to monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, body weight and physical activity.
“Most importantly, stroke is not always inevitable. Early detection and control of risk factors can prevent many strokes. Prevention saves lives. Early recognition saves the brain. Every minute matters,” he said.
He advised people to adopt healthier routines, including balanced diets, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco, while ensuring that underlying medical conditions remain under control.
Dr Showkat Ahmad Shah, a cardiologist at GMC Anantnag, said the connection between cardiovascular health and brain health was central to stroke prevention.
“On World Stroke Day, my message as a cardiologist is simple: protecting your heart also protects your brain,” he said.
Dr Shah identified uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity and inadequate physical activity among the major contributors to the growing stroke burden.
He said hypertension remained particularly dangerous because it could progress without obvious symptoms, leaving people unaware of the damage it could cause.
“High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, and feeling well is no reason to stop treatment. Check your blood pressure, take prescribed medicines regularly and make time to walk every day,” he advised.
Doctors also stressed that recognising the symptoms of stroke was equally important, as delays in reaching a hospital could result in irreversible brain damage.
Sudden facial drooping, weakness in an arm, difficulty speaking, loss of vision or problems with balance should be treated as warning signs requiring immediate medical attention.
Dr Shah cautioned people against waiting for symptoms to disappear or postponing hospital visits until the following morning.
“Seek emergency care immediately, even if the symptoms improve, and note when they started,” he said.
“Do not wait for morning; a few minutes can make a lasting difference to someone’s ability to speak, walk and live independently,” he added.
Medical experts said temporary symptoms should not be dismissed, as they could indicate a serious underlying problem requiring urgent assessment.
They reiterated that regular check-ups, adherence to prescribed medication, physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco avoidance remained essential preventive measures.
Doctors said greater public awareness, particularly among younger people who often consider themselves healthy, could help reduce the long-term physical, emotional and social consequences of stroke. While not every stroke can be prevented, they said, timely recognition, emergency treatment and consistent management of risk factors could save lives and improve recovery outcomes.
