Donald Glover, a 42-year-old musician and actor, recently revealed that he suffered a stroke while on tour in 2024. Although strokes are rare in young people, Glover is among a growing number of people suffering from them. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a 2024 report that the prevalence of strokes has increased. increased by almost 15% among people aged 18 to 44. over the last decade or so.
“We're definitely seeing more young people having strokes,” says Dr. Joshua Willey, a neurologist who specializes in stroke at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (who did not treat Glover). “But they often come to the hospital late because the last thing on their mind is that they're having a stroke.”
Here's what you need to know about Glover's health crisis and the growing risk of stroke in young people.
What happened to Donald Glover?
Glover, whose stage name is Childish Gambino, shared details about the stroke he suffered during a Nov. 22 performance at Los Angeles music festival Camp Flog Gnaw. The five-time Grammy winner told the crowd that he experienced “a really bad headache” while touring last year, but still played the New Orleans concert. Glover said he “couldn't see well,” so when he got to the next stop on the tour, he went to the hospital to get checked out. “The doctor said, 'You've had a stroke,'” Glover said, according to a video posted on social media.
“The first thing I thought was, 'Oh, I'm still copying Jamie Foxx,'” Glover joked, referring to the stroke that Foxx, a fellow actor and musician, affected in 2023. Fox was 55 years old at the time.
He also told fans that doctors found a “hole” in his heart and that he had two surgeries. He did not provide further medical details.
Willey, a NewYork-Presbyterian neurologist, says one known cause of stroke in young people is a heart defect known as patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is a small hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. This opening usually closes soon after birth, but about 1 in 4 peopleit can remain open. PPOs usually do not cause complications, but can contribute to strokes and low blood oxygen levels in some people. Some people may need surgery to close the hole.
Glover did not specify whether he had PFO. His agent did not respond to an immediate request for comment.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked (ischemic stroke) or ruptured (hemorrhagic stroke). When blood flow to the brain is disrupted, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or “mini-stroke,” is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. TIAs can be a warning sign of a future stroke.
What causes stroke and why do more young people suffer from it?
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is affecting a growing number of adults of all ages.
In its 2024 CDC report, which compared data from two time periods: 2011-2013 and 2020-2022, the CDC said the national prevalence of stroke increased by nearly 8%. But among people aged 18 to 44, the prevalence of stroke increased by almost 15%, and among people aged 45 to 64 by almost 16%. (Stroke in young adulthood is still relatively rare, affecting only about 1% of people aged 18 to 44 in 2020–2022.)
The biggest risk factor for any type of stroke is hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, Willey said. “Other risk factors include diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and use of stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines,” he says.
Obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol are other important risk factorsAccording to the CDC.
PFO and other underlying conditions, including bleeding disorders and some autoimmune diseases, can increase the risk of stroke in young people, Willey said. But a sharp rise in recent years in the number of young people with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, is likely leading to an increase in the number of people aged 50 and younger suffering from stroke, he says.
Almost 24% of US adults aged 18 to 39 He had high blood pressure, according to a CDC report covering data from 2021-2023.
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“In the past, a risk factor like hypertension didn't develop until people were in their 30s or 40s, so we wouldn't see an event like stroke until people were in their 60s and 70s,” says Dr. Adam Kelly, a professor of neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. But now hypertension is more often diagnosed in young people. including children and adolescents. “What's alarming is that this whole timeline is moving earlier and earlier,” Kelly says.
Kelly says it's possible that part of the increase in stroke prevalence among young people may be due to better diagnosis of the condition thanks to improved MRI technology and greater public awareness of strokes and stroke risks. “But I don’t think that explains all the data,” he says.
How to prevent a stroke and what symptoms should you pay attention to?
The American Heart Association has published a list eight important steps steps everyone should take to optimize their cardiovascular health, which in turn will help reduce their risk of stroke. These steps include: eating better, being more physically active, quitting smoking, sleeping well, controlling weight, controlling cholesterol, and controlling blood sugar and blood pressure.
“I don't think it's ever too early to think about stroke prevention,” Kelly says.
When it comes to stroke symptoms, Kelly says to remember the acronym BE FAST.
B for balance: sudden loss of balance or lack of coordination.
E for the eyes: sudden changes in vision in one or both eyes.
F for the face: Drooping or numbness on one side of the face.
A for the arm: Weakness or numbness in one arm.
WITH for speech: slurred speech or speech problems.
T for time: Time is of the essence. If any of these symptoms are present, especially if they appear suddenly, call 911 and get medical help right away. The sooner a stroke is diagnosed and treated, the higher the likelihood of a good outcome.
A sudden, severe headache can also be a symptom of a stroke. “Many patients may have more than one of these symptoms, but having even one can be a strong predictor of stroke, and they should get to the hospital as quickly as possible,” says Willey.
He adds that young people shouldn't ignore any of these symptoms because of their age: “A common misconception among young people is, 'Oh, this can't be happening to me.'
