VIDEO: Traumatic injury ups stroke risk in people under 50

SAN DIEGO – Eleven of every 100,000 patients younger than 50 years who were seen for traumatic injury to the head or neck developed a stroke within a month, a study of 1.3 million found. Trauma can tear blood vessels that lead to the brain and cause blood clots resulting in ischemic stroke. A total of 10% of patients in the study who developed a stroke were diagnosed with tears in blood vessels leading to the brain, but some of these arterial dissections were diagnosed after the stroke occurred.

Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele spoke with us about the significance of the findings for both young adults and children who experience physical trauma.