More young Americans having strokes

PHOENIX -- More Americans are suffering strokes at a younger age, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control.

The study said the stroke hospitalization rate for people ages 15 to 44 jumped as much as 37 percent from 1995 to 2008.

There's a cause for strokes in younger people, said Banner Thunderbird Hospital's pediatric neurologist Tamara Zach.

"In the younger population, 15 to 44 especially, the risk for stroke is a blood-clotting disorder, which is recognized more because genetics is a field that is growing," Zach said.

Obesity also is causing problems, she said.

"We are seeing an increase in blood pressure problems and heart problems and cholesterol problems in the younger population... I realize how easy it is to get fast food, but that cuts down your life expectancy. It causes a lot of issues and, if we are more aware of that and choose more lower calorie foods, I think we will be better off."

Exercise and eating right can lower the risk of stroke, said Zach.