Researchers from the University of Colorado and the University of California have found evidence that early signs of atherosclerosis in children may raise the likelihood of stroke later in life. This conclusion appears in a study published in JAMA Neurology and sheds light on how vascular health in youth can influence outcomes decades later.
The investigation examined data gathered in Northern California over a span of fourteen years, from the start of 2000 through the end of 2014. The study included 141 children and young adults who experienced arterial ischemic stroke and 1,382 control individuals of the same age without stroke. The researchers found that cases of arterial ischemic stroke in teenagers and children were not linked to atherosclerotic vascular changes at that youthful stage. However, the presence of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis contributed to a markedly higher stroke risk as people entered their thirties and forties.
Based on these results, the authors propose that while youth stroke is not typically driven by atherosclerosis, an early buildup of related risk factors may set the stage for stroke during early middle age. The findings suggest it may be important to consider early screening for atherosclerotic changes and to implement preventive measures to reduce future risk. This perspective aligns with a broader public health aim to identify and address cardiovascular risk factors before they translate into serious events in adulthood. The study underscores the potential value of monitoring heart and blood vessel health from childhood through early adulthood as part of comprehensive prevention strategies. By recognizing these patterns early, clinicians and families can pursue interventions that support healthier aging and potentially lower the incidence of stroke in later decades. The study’s authors advocate for continued research to refine screening approaches and to determine the most effective prevention efforts for individuals at risk. Additionally, the work contributes to the growing understanding that lifelong vascular health begins much earlier than previously emphasized. The evidence supports a narrative where maintaining healthy arteries from a young age can influence stroke outcomes in the 30s and 40s, guiding future recommendations for screening and prevention, and highlighting the ongoing need for awareness and proactive management of cardiovascular risk factors from childhood onward. The study adds important context to how early-life vascular biology may shape adult health trajectories. These insights come from a collaboration among institutions including the University of Colorado and the University of California, with data interpreted in the context of Northern California populations. [Citation: JAMA Neurology study; University of Colorado; University of California; Northern California cohort]