Clustering of Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Young Adults With Ischemic Stroke

Saumya Chaudhari; Ayush Patel; Kiranya B; Amrutha Lexmi Anil Kumar; Alekhya Sai Guntupalli

Clustering of Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Young Adults With Ischemic Stroke

Author(s)	Saumya Chaudhari, Ayush Patel, Kiranya B, Amrutha Lexmi Anil Kumar, Alekhya Sai Guntupalli
Country	India
Abstract	Background The incidence of ischemic stroke among young adults is rising globally, with modifiable lifestyle factors playing an increasingly important role. While individual vascular risk factors have been widely studied, less attention has been given to the co-occurrence or clustering of behavioral risks such as smoking and alcohol consumption in young stroke patients. Understanding these patterns is essential for designing targeted preventive strategies. Objectives To examine the prevalence and clustering of modifiable lifestyle risk factors among young adults with ischemic stroke and to evaluate their independent association with stroke occurrence relative to older patients. Methods We conducted a hospital-based case–control study including 180 young adults (18–45 years) and 180 elderly patients (>60 years) with first-ever ischemic stroke. Demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, and stroke subtypes (TOAST classification) were recorded. Lifestyle risk clustering was assessed based on the co-occurrence of smoking and alcohol consumption. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of young-onset stroke. Results Among young adults, smoking/tobacco use was present in 45.0% and alcohol consumption in 38.3%, both significantly higher than in elderly patients (30.0% and 24.4%, respectively). Concurrent exposure to both behaviors was substantially more common in the young group. In adjusted models, smoking (adjusted OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.20–2.95) and alcohol use (adjusted OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.18–2.90) independently predicted young-onset stroke, whereas hypertension and diabetes were more strongly associated with elderly stroke. Young patients also exhibited higher proportions of strokes classified as “other determined” and “undetermined.” Conclusions Young adults with ischemic stroke demonstrate a distinct clustering of modifiable lifestyle risk factors, particularly smoking and alcohol use. These findings highlight the need for integrated behavioral risk reduction strategies aimed at preventing early cerebrovascular disease.
Keywords	Young stroke, elderly stroke, risk factors, ischemic stroke subtypes, case–control study, TOAST classification, India.
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-02-24

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Clustering of Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Young Adults With Ischemic Stroke

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