Worldwide Stroke Rates Are Up

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You may think that stroke is something you only see in older people, but strokes can also be seen in younger adults and even in children. A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that from 1990 to 2010, rates of new onset stroke, stroke survivors, and deaths from stroke increased 68%, 84%, and 26%, respectively. There were bigger increases in low and middle-income countries, and in people younger than 75.

There are lots of different reasons for stroke, including your genes, lifestyle habits, diet and exercise, but I wonder how much of an underlying sleep-breathing condition may be contributing, as more countries adopt Western style foods and habits. It’s remarkable how our younger generations have more dental crowding and smaller jaws, which lead to more narrow upper airways.