Recent data from the National Stroke Registry Programme — a large hospital‑based analysis led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) — reveals a concerning shift in the demographics of stroke in India. According to the latest registry findings, about one in every seven stroke patients in the country is under the age of 45, a group traditionally considered at lower risk for this condition. (www.ndtv.com)
🧠 What the Data Shows
The registry analysed nearly 35,000 stroke cases recorded across multiple hospitals in India between 2020 and 2022. (www.ndtv.com)
Stroke — once mainly seen in older adults — is now increasingly affecting young and middle‑aged individuals, with around 14% of patients under 45. (www.ndtv.com)
The average age of stroke patients in the dataset is approximately 59 years, but a significant portion are younger adults. (www.ndtv.com)
⚠️ Major Risk Factors
Healthcare experts point to multiple contributors behind this alarming trend:
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common risk factor and is widespread even among younger people. (www.ndtv.com)
Other metabolic and lifestyle‑related risks like diabetes, smoking and tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and stress are also playing a major role. (www.ndtv.com)
Modern urban living with long hours of sedentary work, irregular sleep and high stress levels appears to accelerate vascular damage at younger ages. (Business Today)
⏱️ Care Gaps and Delays
The data also highlights critical challenges in acute stroke care:
Only about 20% of stroke patients reached hospitals within the crucial 4.5‑hour treatment window, when interventions like thrombolysis can be most effective. (www.ndtv.com)
Nearly 40% of patients arrived more than 24 hours after symptom onset, missing the opportunity for time‑sensitive treatments. (www.ndtv.com)
Delays in recognising symptoms and seeking medical help contribute to worse outcomes, including higher risks of death and long‑term disability. (The Times of India)
🧠 Why This Matters
Stroke can be devastating at any age, but when it affects younger individuals, the impact is especially profound. People under 45 are often in their most productive years, with families, careers, and long futures ahead. A stroke in this age group can lead to:
Permanent disability
Loss of income and financial strain
Long‑term healthcare needs
Emotional and social challenges for families
🧩 Prevention and Awareness
Experts emphasise that many stroke risk factors are modifiable:
Regular blood pressure and diabetes screening
Healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining an ideal weight
Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol intake
Learning to spot stroke signs early using the FAST mnemonic (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services) (www.ndtv.com)
Public awareness and better access to urgent care could significantly reduce the burden of stroke — especially in younger populations.