Strokes are traditionally known to affect the elderly, but recent research shows a concerning trend of an increasing number of younger adults experiencing strokes. This happened to 45-year-old Dipuo Makwe* from Johannesburg just a few months ago in August. 

“It was about 3 am when I started feeling weird and my body was getting numb. On the left side of my body, I felt like I was placed in an oven that was too hot. I started panicking. I could tell something was wrong but I didn’t know what it was,” she recalls.

The mother of three managed to drive herself to the nearest garage to get Dispirin as she heard that it helps with high blood pressure. 

“I am a chronic patient who takes high blood pressure medication. That night before I slept, I had taken all my five pills because my blood pressure was high,” she says.

She bought Disprin tablets when she got to the garage and immediately took one pill. By the time she got home, she was feeling better.

“That feeling didn’t last long, the numbness came back. I called a friend and told her that something was happening and I couldn’t drive myself to the hospital.” 

At the hospital, Dipuo was told that her blood pressure was very high. But they managed to stabilise her.

“The doctor said I was having warning signs of stroke. He said if I waited longer the situation could have been worse. That truly scared me, I couldn’t stop thinking about my children.”

It’s estimated that 25 000 South Africans die from strokes every year. Strokes are among the top 10 leading causes of disability in the country. This is Mpho Maropeng’s reality. The 34-year-old from Mahikeng in the North West lost mobility and sensation in the right side of her upper body after suffering a stroke at the age of 28 in 2018. 

“I woke up feeling fine, but within minutes, my life changed forever. I lost balance, my vision blurred, and my left side numb. I was rushed to the hospital by my mother and older sister, after asking for help from our neighbours.” 

Having a stroke and the subsequent put an end to Mpho’s aspirations of a career in engineering. She then set her sights on studying geography to become a teacher. However, this all changed when in April of 2021 she had another stroke.  

This second episode took a toll on Mpho’s mental health. She says she struggled with anxiety and depression. She also experienced memory loss, which affected her two children. All of these issues were compounded by the long recovery period. Mpho was hospitalised for seven days and three months in rehabilitation. 

She missed out on important times and moments with her children and family. Although many years have passed, Mpho acknowledges that the stroke was responsible for the breakdown of her relationship with her children and family. “I was a completely different person coming out of hospital. I was very emotional and angry at the situation I found myself in.”  

Mpho is still going through physical therapy sessions and checkups for her recovery. She believes the outcome would have been much worse had she not received treatment. “I underwent physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Through the support I got from my family, friends and support groups I overcame the stroke. I’ll forever remain grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff”. 

Her health is starting to improve and Mpho hopes to continue with her studies. Now she wants to use her experience to raise awareness. 

“My stroke taught me resilience, gratitude and purpose. I’m stronger than I thought, and I’m living proof that life after a stroke can be beautiful. I’ve adapted to my new reality, finding joy in spending time with loved ones, volunteering for stroke awareness campaigns and practising mindfulness.”

Drivers of stroke in young adults

It has been reported that the concerning trends of stroke among young adults are likely due to the increasing prevalence of modifiable risk factors. These include hypertension, excess of fats in the blood, obesity and diabetes.

“The conditions mentioned above contribute to early atherosclerosis, which is a major cause of ischemic stroke in this age group. This is partly attributed to a rise in the prevalence of traditional risk factors including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking and heart disease,” says Professor Veronica Ntsiea, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy at Wits University. 

Ntsiea says the burden of stroke in South Africa is disproportionately high among younger age groups, contributing significantly to disability and death.

“The incidence of stroke in young adults in South Africa who are under 55 is common with an incidence rate of 20 to 35 per 100 000 per year,” she says. 

Ntsiea adds that there are non-modifiable risk factors including migraine, pregnancy and postpartum state that also lead to strokes in young adults.  

Stroke recovery

CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Pamela Naidoo says stroke victims can make a full recovery if they get immediate healthcare. 

“Stroke patients are treated by a team of doctors, including a speech therapist, physiotherapist, neurosurgeon and psychologist. Modern medicine has improved a stroke patient’s chance of regaining the full function of their body,” she says.

She says the role of physical activity in the prevention of stroke is important as a lack of activity is a risk factor for strokes.

Naidoo says to prevent secondary stroke, it is important to promote low-to-moderate-intensity aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises like walking, yoga, Swimming or cycling and control other risk factors like high blood pressure. 

“A stroke survivor can regain full function with regular exercise. Up to 70% of strokes can be prevented by adopting healthy behaviours,” she says. – Health-e News

*Not her real name