Iron Deficiency Anemia Significantly Elevates Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults

Recent research indicates that iron deficiency anemia (IDA) independently and markedly increases the likelihood of ischemic stroke among young adults. The study, published in eJHaem, analyzed health records from over 300 U.S. hospitals, focusing on individuals aged 15 to 50. Findings revealed that 5.1% of young stroke patients had prior IDA, compared to only 1.10% in those without stroke. Notably, IDA was associated with a 39% higher odds of experiencing an ischemic stroke, even after adjusting for other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.

The study also uncovered that young African American adults aged 20–39 with IDA are at a particularly increased risk, highlighting racial disparities. External factors like limited access to nutritious diets and irregular healthcare visits may further contribute to this risk. Interestingly, the overall prevalence of IDA in the studied population was about 1.11%, significantly lower than the estimated global prevalence of 5%, suggesting underdiagnosis.

This research emphasizes the importance of screening for iron deficiency in young adults, especially those at higher risk, to prevent serious cerebrovascular events like ischemic strokes. Given the high prevalence and potential impact, implementing effective strategies for early detection and management of IDA could significantly reduce stroke incidence among young populations.

For more detailed information, see the original publication by Gollamudi et al. in eJHaem. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-iron-deficiency-anemia-significantly-ischemic.html