Nearly one in seven stroke patients in India is under the age of 45, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Stroke Registry Programme. The findings, drawn from almost 35,000 cases, signal a quiet but alarming shift: a condition once thought to affect older adults is increasingly striking younger, often working-age individuals.
Hypertension stands out as the leading risk factor across all age groups. Many younger adults remain unaware they have high blood pressure, often going years without screening or treatment until a stroke occurs. Sedentary jobs, long screen hours, irregular sleep, and high stress accelerate vascular ageing, silently compromising health decades before symptoms appear.
For 32-year-old man from a tier-two city, the warning came suddenly. He noticed his face drooping while speaking to his colleague, and his right arm felt unusually weak. By the time he reached the hospital, the critical window for clot-busting treatment had passed. Today, Ramesh faces months of rehabilitation and limited mobility, a stark reminder of how quickly a stroke can upend a young adult’s life.
Gender and Geography Divide
Registry data shows men dominate the young stroke cohort, with some urban centres, including Bangalore, reporting nearly twice as many male patients as female. This reflects higher prevalence of poorly managed risk factors such as hypertension and tobacco use.
Rural populations face additional challenges. Regions such as Cuttack report nearly double the stroke incidence compared to urban counterparts, compounded by limited diagnostic facilities, poor awareness, and delayed access to care. Mortality is alarmingly high, with some registries recording over 40 percent of patients dying within the first month.
Critical Gaps in Treatment
Stroke units, which significantly improve survival and functional outcomes, remain largely concentrated in urban private hospitals. Beyond hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, tobacco, and alcohol use contribute significantly to younger strokes. Up to 40 percent of cases in adults under 45 remain unexplained, classified as cryptogenic, with potential causes ranging from inherited conditions to hidden vascular problems.
A Call for Urgent Action
Experts emphasise that most young strokes are preventable. Mandatory blood pressure screenings at primary health centres, expansion of stroke units in district hospitals, and targeted awareness campaigns for men aged 30 to 45 could save countless lives. Better data from tier-two and tier-three cities would help capture India’s full stroke burden.
Globally, high-income countries have reduced stroke incidence through proactive cardiovascular care, while low- and middle-income countries, including India, have seen rates rise. Without action, strokes among younger adults threaten decades of productivity, family stability, and personal well-being.
“Many of these strokes are preventable,” said a senior neurologist involved in the registry. “Early detection, awareness, and recognising warning signs can mean the difference between life and long-term disability.”