A recent analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Research under the National Stroke Registry Programme has revealed an alarming trend: nearly one in seven stroke patients in India is younger than 45 years. The findings highlight a growing public health concern as strokes, once considered a disease of older adults, are increasingly affecting younger individuals.
The registry analysed nearly 35,000 stroke cases reported from 30 hospitals across the country between 2020 and 2022. According to the data, about 13.8 percent of stroke patients were below the age of 45, while the average age of patients was around 59 years. Health experts say this pattern signals a worrying shift in the country’s disease burden.
The study also identified major gaps in emergency care. Only around 20 percent of patients managed to reach hospitals within the critical treatment window of 4.5 hours after symptoms began. This delay often prevents patients from receiving time-sensitive treatments such as thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy, which can significantly improve recovery chances.
Medical experts say uncontrolled lifestyle-related risk factors are a key reason behind the rise of stroke cases among younger Indians. High blood pressure remains the most common risk factor, affecting nearly three-quarters of the patients in the registry. Other major contributors include diabetes, smoking, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.
Rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles have also played a role. Sedentary work habits, unhealthy diets, irregular sleep patterns and chronic stress are increasingly affecting young adults, raising the risk of cardiovascular diseases at earlier ages.
Doctors are also examining emerging health conditions that may contribute to strokes among younger populations. These include sleep apnoea, obesity and certain vascular disorders that affect blood flow to the brain. Some rare conditions, including cerebral venous thrombosis and inherited clotting abnormalities, are also believed to contribute to stroke cases among younger individuals.
Health authorities emphasise that early recognition of stroke symptoms is crucial for saving lives and preventing disability. International health organisations, including the World Health Organization, promote the FAST method—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to seek medical help to help people quickly identify warning signs.
Experts say preventing strokes requires a combination of individual awareness and stronger healthcare systems. Regular health check-ups, controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes and cholesterol, maintaining physical activity and avoiding tobacco can significantly reduce risk.
The findings underscore the urgent need for greater public awareness, improved emergency care access and stronger preventive healthcare strategies to address the rising incidence of stroke among India’s younger population.
