Stroke in young adults
One in four strokes are reported to occur in people of working age.
What we fund
Why are cases of stroke rising in young adults?
Findings from Foundation-funded Dr Linxin Li
In recent years, rates of stroke have been rising in younger people - despite becoming less common in older adults.
A stroke at any age can be life-changing, but for younger adults, the effects can be particularly severe.
Many face long-term disability, a higher risk of dementia, and ongoing mental health challenges. Some are unable to return to work or support their families at a crucial stage in life. As cases of young stroke rise, so too does burden on families, the economy, and healthcare systems.
With support from a Medical Research Foundation grant, Dr Linxin Li, based at the University of Oxford, is investigating the causes and risk factors of stroke in young adults - exploring this upward trend, and what can be done to prevent it.
"We don’t really know why this is happening," says Linxin. "That’s why it’s so important to understand the causes and find better ways to manage young strokes.”
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Sign up nowOur studies show a worrying rise in young stroke cases both in Oxfordshire and in other high-income countries.Dr Linxin Li
University of Oxford
Falling in the older generation, but rising for the younger
In 2022, Linxin’s research provided clear evidence that strokes in young adults are rising at an alarming rate. Published in JAMA, her study revealed that between 2002-2010 and 2010-2018, stroke incidence among adults under 55 increased by 67 per cent, while in older adults, stroke rates actually fell by 15 per cent.
Crucially, her research showed that this trend is specific to strokes, as similar increases were not found in other vascular conditions like heart attacks.
What’s causing strokes in younger adults?
Strokes are traditionally associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol.
However, Linxin’s research is exploring risk factors that may be more relevant to younger adults, such as long working hours, stress, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, strokes in younger people may also be caused by rare or underdiagnosed conditions.
To build a clearer picture, Linxin is using two major study cohorts. The Oxford Vascular Study (OXVASC), led by Professor Peter Rothwell, provides comprehensive data on all stroke cases in Oxfordshire, allowing Linxin to track changes in stroke incidence and risk factors over time.
“The advantage of using OXVASC,” explains Linxin, “is its near-complete ascertainment of all stroke cases, allowing us to reliably analyse changes in stroke incidence and risk factors among younger individuals.”
She has also set up the Thames Valley Young Stroke Study, a regional study which takes a deeper look at younger stroke patients. “It is fully phenotyped, meaning all patients undergo not just standard investigations but also more detailed imaging of their vessels, heart, and brain,” says Linxin.
We don’t really know why this is happening. That’s why it’s so important to understand the causes and find better ways to manage young strokes.Dr Linxin Li
A step closer to prevention
This research is already shaping how strokes in younger adults are understood and managed.
By identifying modifiable risk factors, Linxin’s work has the potential to improve clinical guidelines, enhance early detection, and develop better prevention strategies tailored specifically to younger adults. In the long-term, this could mean fewer young people suffering devastating strokes and a reduction in the wider social and economic costs.
"The Foundation’s funding has been essential in making this research possible," asserts Linxin. “Without it, I would not have been able to embark on this important research journey. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and for all the support the Foundation has provided over the last three years."
Thanks to your support, this vital research is happening. Your generosity is driving groundbreaking research that could change how we understand, prevent, and treat strokes in younger adults.
