ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — The local medical community is reacting to actor Luke Perry's death at the age of 52 following a massive stroke he suffered last week. Doctors say this is a sad reminder that stroke is hitting younger people more and more these days.
"It's not uncommon," said SLU Care Medical Director of Stroke Programs -- Dr. Randall Edgell -- at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital. "I think we see stroke in patients in their thirties, forties and fifties increasingly unfortunately. It's a combination of factors including earlier onset of other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol."
Other causes for an early stroke are more rare -- such as congenital heart defects, or immune system problems caused by cancer. But for most people, Dr. Edgell's advice is clear.
"Younger patients often feel that they have time to address their chronic medical conditions," said Dr. Edgell. "But I would encourage them not to ignore those diseases and leave them untreated. I think the earlier you can start treatment and get those problems under good control, the less likely they are to have long-term damage to the heart and the brain as well as other blood vessels in the body."
Dr. Edgell said they are a lot of good treatments and preventative measures that can be taken.
"I think the most important thing is to quickly address diseases that put you at risk for stroke," he said. "And when you do have stroke symptoms, get immediately to a stroke center for treatment."
Level One stroke centers in the St. Louis area include SSM Health's St. Clare, DePaul and St. Louis University hospitals, Mercy South on Tesson Ferry and Mercy St. Louis Hospital on New Ballas Road, and Barnes Jewish Hospital on South Kingshighway.