Leppert and his team analyzed health insurance claim data from over 2,600 individuals in Colorado who experienced a stroke and over 7,800 individuals who did not experience a stroke to determine which risk factors were most associated with stroke.

Among people aged 45 to 55 years old, non-traditional risk factors including migraines, blood clotting disorders, kidney failure, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Migraines rank at the top, contributing to nearly 35% of strokes in women and 20% in men, but its contribution to stroke risk decreases with age.

Researchers were surprised to find that non-traditional risk factors, especially migraines, play a significant role in the development of stroke in young adults. "The younger they are when they have a stroke, the greater the likelihood that their stroke is caused by non-traditional risk factors," said Leppert. Source: Heart.org/Report: Aykaputri Amalia Rahmani.