A recent study has found that iron-deficiency anemia significantly and independently raises the risk of ischemic stroke in young adults.
Iron-deficiency anemia—the most common type—occurs when iron stores are insufficient to support red blood cell production.
اضافة اعلان
Iron Deficiency in Women
This condition disproportionately affects women, primarily due to regular iron loss during menstruation and increased iron demands during pregnancy.
Maternal anemia has also been linked to developmental issues in children, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Stroke in Young Adults
According to Medical Xpress, it’s estimated that 10% to 15% of all strokes occur in adults aged 18 to 50—an age group that is also experiencing a rise in iron-deficiency anemia cases.
However, limited data had previously explored the relationship between iron-deficiency anemia and stroke risk in this age group.
In this study, researchers examined health records from over 300 hospitals across the United States, collecting data on patients aged 15 to 50, both with and without ischemic strokes.
Patients with anemia due to other causes—such as sickle cell disease, pregnancy, or contraceptive use—were excluded.
The Impact of Anemia
The results showed that individuals with a history of iron-deficiency anemia had a significantly higher risk of experiencing a stroke, even after adjusting for multiple variables.
Iron-deficiency anemia was associated with a 39% increased risk of ischemic stroke, independent of other known risk factors such as smoking.
