In recent years, the rise in stroke cases among young adults has made it crucial to recognize its common symptoms. Many believe that strokes are only common at the older adults, but that’s not the case.

Certain factors that contribute to this condition at the young population include unhealthy lifestyle, chronic stress, recreational drug use, birth control pills that include estrogen, as well as increasing prevalence of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

The American Heart Association reports that the number of strokes at young adults have increased 40 percent in recent years. In fact, around 10-15 percent of strokes affect people aged 18 to 45.

“While the medical community has made significant improvements to reduce the severity and complications of strokes with early interventions, these efforts are of limited value if patients do not recognize stroke symptoms,” Dr. Khurram Nasir, chief of the division of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Texas, said.

“Time is critical for treating stroke. The earlier people recognize symptoms, the better their chances are to reduce long-term disability from stroke,”he added.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or disrupted.