The average age of ischaemic stroke onset is decreasing, owing to a rise in the incidence of stroke among individuals under 50 years of age. In this article, the authors review the current literature on risk factors for and aetiology of 'young' ischaemic stroke. In addition, they discuss the lifelong implications of stroke in young adults, not only in terms of cardiovascular disease recurrence, but also with respect to psychosocial consequences, including cognitive and social impairments, mood disorders and fatigue.
- Noortje A. M. M. Maaijwee
- Loes C. A. Rutten-Jacobs
- Frank-Erik de Leeuw
