Two women in their early 20s share their stroke recovery stories

Strokes are commonly associated with older people, and for good reason. Seventy-five percent of all strokes happen to people who are 65 or older. However, a growing number of young people are experiencing strokes.

While still extremely rare, more people in their 40s, 30s and even 20s are having strokes. In fact, one in seven strokes occur in individuals aged 15 to 49.

This past year, Mohammad Anadani, MD, chief of neuroendovascular services at Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute in Arlington Heights, treated two women in their early twenties for ischemic strokes.

Approximately 85% of strokes are ischemic, meaning a blood vessel delivering blood to the brain develops a blood clot and deprives the brain of oxygen.

“It’s important that we make people aware that while strokes in young people are rare, it could happen,” said Dr. Anadani. “Just having two patients in their 20s in the same year with ischemic stroke is alarming.”

Ann’s story

In April 2024, Ann Fulk, 24, was spending time with a friend at home when she suddenly felt the left half of her body go numb. Her friend helped her call 911 and Fulk was taken by ambulance to Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital. The EMTs told her they suspected she was having a stroke despite her young age.

“They were in complete, utter shock,” Fulk said.

In the ER, her medical team explained she could take medication that might dissolve the blood clot, or she could opt for a thrombectomy, a procedure where surgeons go into the blood vessel to remove the clot. She chose the thrombectomy, which was performed by Dr. Anadani.

“Working with Dr. Anadani was awesome,” she said. “He was very knowledgeable and understanding.”

Just one month after her stroke, Fulk, who is a mental health therapist, was cleared to go back to work. “I love working with patients who have experienced medical issues because I can really understand the mental health impacts of those situations,” she said.

Fulk has fully recovered after some speech therapy and is back to working out and adventuring on the weekend.

Aubrey’s story

In June 2024, Aubrey Hasley, 22, began to experience tinnitus.

“It was so loud that it freaked me out,” she said. “I get migraines with aura a couple of times a year, so I figured that's what it was.”

Hasley tried to take a nap, but she became extremely dizzy and lost coordination in her legs and arms. That’s when she realized it wasn’t a migraine.

“I think part of me knew it was a stroke since I had been working around stroke patients,” said Hasley, who is in school to become an occupational therapist.

Hasley’s mom took her to Northwest Community Hospital. In the ER, Hasley began having double vision and her speech became slurred. Soon, she was unable to move the right side of her body.

After two CT scans, her medical team confirmed Hasley was having a stroke due to a clot in the basilar artery, which supplies blood to a vital part of the brain. After discussing her treatment options, Hasley decided to proceed with a thrombectomy performed by Dr. Anadani. After four days in the hospital, she went home and made a full recovery without any physical or occupational therapy.

“A big component of my recovery is that I was at the hospital early, before any major stroke symptoms started,” she said. “It's so important to know the signs of stroke and know that it can happen to anyone at any age.”

Know the symptoms of stroke

When it comes to treating a stroke, every second counts, so it’s critical to know the symptoms of a stroke. It can help to memorize the acronym BE FAST:

• Balance (sudden loss of balance)
• Eyes (trouble seeing or double vision)
• Face (drooping or uneven smile)
• Arm (weakness or drifting downward)
• Speech (speech slurred or trouble speaking)
• Time (call 911 immediately)

“It’s important to know that stroke can happen at any age,” said Dr. Anadani. “Everyone needs to try to lower their risk of stroke through a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking, lowering their alcohol intake, and managing stress.”.

Dr. Anadani also encourages everyone with a family history of stroke, especially at an early age, to let their primary care provider know so they can rule out any disorders that can increase the risk of stroke early in life.