Recreational drugs triple the risk of stroke in young people, study finds

"Researchers at the University of Cambridge also believe using recreational drugs, particularly amphetamines, could triple the risk of stroke in people under the age of 55, after analysing data from more than 100 million people. Drugs could trigger a stroke by causing sudden spikes in blood pressure, heart rhythm problems and increased blood clotting, study authors suggest."

"Dr Eric Harshfield, from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, said: Our analysis suggests that it is these drugs themselves that increase the risk of stroke, not just other lifestyle factors among users. Taken together, our findings emphasise the importance of public health measures to reduce sub"

Stroke ranks as the third leading cause of death and disability combined, affecting approximately 100,000 people annually in the UK. Research from the University of Cambridge analyzed data from over 100 million people and found that recreational drug use, particularly amphetamines, substantially elevates stroke risk in individuals under 55 years old. The study indicates that drugs themselves directly increase stroke risk independent of other lifestyle factors common among users. Recreational drugs trigger strokes through multiple mechanisms: sudden blood pressure spikes, heart rhythm disturbances, and increased blood clotting. While lifestyle modifications such as healthy eating, regular exercise, and smoking cessation are established stroke prevention methods, the research emphasizes the critical need for public health interventions addressing recreational drug use as a stroke risk factor.

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